ANAHEIM — If you thought Wednesday night’s Ducks-Sabres game looked like a reasonable facsimile of their meeting less than a month ago in Buffalo, you would be on the right track.
Jan. 21: The Ducks rallied from deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 only to lose, 6-3, at KeyBank Center.
Wednesday: The Ducks trailed 2-0 after the first period, fought back to tie it, briefly took the lead and eventually lost, 7-3, at Honda Center.
“They were a little bit more opportunistic in the game in Buffalo,” Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler said. “I think we had a much better effort (there) and were playing the right way. We found ourselves in a tough game and they got some goals late.
“Tonight, it seemed like it was a lot more self-inflicted. Sometimes you have to tip your cap to good plays and they have good players there. … Tonight it seemed like it was more on us.”
It was their third consecutive loss and they’ve allowed a combined 142 shots on goal while being outscored 20-8 in those games. The Ducks have won just once in four games since an injury to Troy Terry, their second-leading scorer.
Getting the start for the Ducks was rookie goaltender Lukas Dostal, who made 37 saves. It was Dostal’s first start with the Ducks since Dec. 23. He was recalled from AHL San Diego on Feb. 11 due to the injury to goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who is considered day-to-day.
Ducks defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk spoke of trying to alleviate the pressure on Dostal.
“Obviously a young goalie who is coming in and trying to get into the game and get his feet under him,” Shattenkirk said. “We know he has experience but we just don’t want to put players like that under pressure.”
Buffalo, which snapped a four-game losing streak, spread out the offense. Peyton Krebs, Jack Quinn, Tyson Jost, Alex Tuch, Casey Mittelstadt, Dylan Cozens and Rasmus Dahlin each had two points and Tage Thompson scored his 36th goal of the season to lead the Sabres.
All three Ducks goals came from defensemen….
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