Consistency has been an issue for the Buffalo Sabres all season and it showed again on Monday afternoon at KeyBank Center when they gave up three second-period goals and fell 4-3 to the 30th-ranked Anaheim Ducks for the second time this season.
Buffalo (24-27-4) held a 2-1 lead with just under 12 minutes remaining in the second period but defensive struggles allowed Anaheim to score three goals in seven minutes to take the lead and they never looked back, holding the home team to no goals and 10 shots in the final 20 minutes.
Jordan Greenway (9), Tage Thompson (16), and Zach Benson (6) scored for the Sabres, while Dylan Cozens collected two assists. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen faced 15 shots, but four found the back of the net.
Buffalo went 1-for-2 on the man advantage and 1-for-1 on the penalty kill.
The Sabres will hit the road for two games, beginning Wednesday when they visit the Montreal Canadiens at 7 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].