1. The wrong goaltender started between the pipes
It's always important for a head coach to ride his hot goaltender as much as possible. In the Senators' last game against the Kraken on Saturday night, Anton Forsberg recorded his second shutout of the season.
Instead of riding his hot goaltender, head coach Travis Green opted to start Linus Ullmark against the Sabres. While Ullmark did allow two goals in his last start against the Rangers, Forsberg was the hotter goaltender coming into Buffalo.
Ullmark shook off the Sabres jumping out to an early 1-0 lead in the first period by making nine saves in the first period. However, Ullmark allowing a goal just 17 seconds into the period to Bowen Byram is a momentum killer to start the period.
The decision to start Ullmark immediately backfired on Green when Ullmark allowed in two goals in a 16-second span in the opening 37 seconds of the third period. The Senators trailing 4-1 too early in the third period shut down all confidence.
While Ullmark finished with making 29 saves, he was outperformed by Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen who finished with 37 saves. Ullmark's five goals allowed is the most he's allowed in two of his six starts this season.
The Senators will return to action Thursday night as they host the New York Islanders at Canadian Tire Centre. Puck drop for the game is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.