Rasmus Ristolainen and Josh Gorges are going to dig pucks out of their own net. Buffalo’s top defense pair plays against the opponent’s star forwards, so it’s inevitable they’ll be beaten for a few goals against.
There have been too many lately.
The duo has been on the ice for five of the 13 goals scored at even strength during the Sabres’ five-game losing streak, with Gorges victimized one additional time without Ristolainen. As Buffalo heads into the unfriendly confines of Chicago on Friday, the defensemen know they need to be better.
“We’ve been OK, but too many times I think we’ve been on the ice for goals against,” Gorges said Thursday.