BUFFALO – While the coaches wonder why the Devils start so slowly, some players wonder why they start so conservatively.
The Sabres’ 3-2 shootout victory over New Jersey here last night was another example of New Jersey doing little early and more late. The Devils managed only four first period shots, including zero over the last 10 minutes of the first. They gave up the opening goal in the first, and in the second fell behind 2-0 for the second straight game.
Then they came roaring back, only not for victory this time. Some wonder if a more aggressive start wouldn’t spark the early spirit Brent Sutter wants to see.
“That’s the tough part. They want you to play it smart, chip it out and not take chances. When we try to make plays, that creates chances for us,” one Devil said.
That wouldn’t be traditional controlled Devils style, and it’s risky, but the Devils can’t come from behind this often and expect to prosper.
Others suggest the problem is less strategic, more lethargic.
“We just sit back on our heels and don’t get going. You can’t wait until you fall behind to start playing,” another Devil said.
Last night, Sutter refrained from ripping into his team, as he had in their previous two victories. No tirade and no triumph.
Sutter had plenty of opportunity to blast his slow-starters, but relented as they came back to force OT and gather a point.
“It’s not two points but we’ll certainly take the point,” Sutter said. “You’re down two and battle back like that? What you want is to give yourself a chance to win.”
The Devils first gave that chance to the Sabres, who hadn’t played at home since Jan. 18. Michael Ryan put the Sabres in front 2:30 into play, deflecting an innocent left point shot from Henrik Tallinder past Martin Brodeur.
Buffalo made it 2-0 at 8:09 of the second, when video review upheld Jason Pominville’s skate goal. Daniel Paille’s pass from the right boards to the back door went in off the angled left skate of Pominville, behind Vitaly Vishnevski.
Karel Rachunek started the Devils back, four seconds after New Jersey killed a Sabres power play. Brian Gionta led the counter to the left circle, then dropped for Rachunek at the top of the right circle for the short side goal on Ryan Miller at 15:25 of the second.
Mike Mottau was credited with tying the game at 6:16 of the third, when his pass from the right circle towards John Madden at the left side of the crease went in off Dmitri Kalinin.
New Jersey won the first three meetings between the teams by shootout this season, but couldn’t complete the shootout sweep. Drew Stafford and defenseman Henrik Tallinder scored on Brodeur, while Zach Parise backhanded wide and Brian Gionta shot into Ryan Miller.
“We’ll take it. We weren’t happy with the way we played, but we’ll take it,” Paul Martin said.
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Arron Asham, Andy Greene and Sheldon Brookbank were healthy scratches for New Jersey, as Jay Pandolfo played his second straight game after missing 29 with an abdominal sprain. . . . Devils return to open four-game homestand against Scott Niedermayer and the Stanley Cup champion Ducks tomorrow, followed by Saturday’s visit by Carolina. It will be Niedermayer’s first game back in New Jersey since departing as an unrestricted free agent after the lockout. . . . The Devils’ next road game is Feb. 16 in Ottawa. . . . Sabres were returning from victory in Boston Tuesday that completed a seven-game (4-2-1) road trip, which they finished 4-0-1.
SHOOTOUT Sabres 3 Devils 2