Defensive mistakes allow Atlanta to win

The Buffalo Sabres played very well for parts of their game against the Atlanta thrashers, but lost 5-2 on the heals of some major defensive mistakes. If the Sabres can't even beat the teams in the southeast division then they are really going to have a hard time making the playoffs.

There were far to many big time defensive meltdowns in this game. All of Atlanta's first three goals were unassisted, and for the first one Kalinin gave up the puck behind the net on what should have been an easy play. On Atlanta's fourth goal Hossa was able to come down the wing with the puck all by himself to score the goal.

The Thrashers had a very good penalty kill throughout the game, and spent alot of time pressuring the Sabres, including what was a six on four advantage at the end of the game. The three best players on the ice for Buffalo were Campbell, Hecht, and MacArthur. Why MacArthur keeps getting sent down to the Amerks is beyond me. He keeps playing well every game he is up with the Sabres, and picked up another goal in the game this afternoon.

Official Three Stars

Marian Hossa

Johan Hedberg

Colin Stuart

My Three Stars

Marian Hossa (first two points of the game)

Colin Stuart (a goal and plus three)

Eric Perrin (an assist and 15 for 20 on faceoffs)