MSG hockey analyst Steve Valiquette fired several shots at the Sabers after Buffalo fell to the Rangers in a Tuesday night snoozefest.
“I think Buffalo players should wear ski masks on the 15th and 30th of each month,” the former Rangers manager said in reference to NHL pay days, “because there’s no way you can to have that star power and not have any kind of setback. ” I mean they seem to have left their season.
The Sabers, who also played their games on the MSG network, had more chances than the Rangers in the 3-2 loss, but only managed five shots on the New York three while scoring one goal in the third period.
“The Rangers wrapped it up in the third period, but even Buffalo made an effort to get it [get to high-scoring areas]? I think they are very easy to play against, ”said Valiquette. “I think it’s a terrible hockey team. They should be ashamed. “
It was the fourth straight loss for a Buffalo team that has often seemed absurd. On 6-11-3, the Sabers are last in the Eastern Division and are on track to lose the playoffs for the tenth consecutive season.
Buffalo entered the 56-game pandemic season with optimism after signing Taylor Hall, the 2018 league MVP, with a $ 8 million one-year contract, which added to a talented core of strikers.
But Hall has scored just one goal, while captain and franchise face Jack Eichel and his $ 10 million annual salary have two goals. Jeff Skinner, who is being paid $ 9 million, hasn’t scored anything and has been a couple of times this season to play poorly. The Sabers are the last in goals per game with 2.20.
Disappointment has sparked rumors that the Sabers could switch to 24-year-old Eichel, possibly the Rangers 8-9-3, who needed the center, which could push the low franchise back even further.
“It’s sad to see it because Buffalo is one of my favorite cities,” said Valiquette, who grew up in nearby Ontario, Canada. “There are amazing people, hardworking people. It must be difficult for them to see how this team plays in hockey ”.