5 takeaways | Sabres shut out to open 3-game set with Bruins

Don Granato identified two positives following a 2-0 loss to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday.
The first was that the Bruins played true to their shutdown, playoff-tested identity. The other was that the Sabres get a chance to play them again on Thursday.
"I know lots of players on that team," Granato said. "We all do. I know some personally and they're a very competitive group of people over there.
"That's what we need. We're trying to advance and improve our team … our players individually, our team collectively. You want to get opposition like this. You learn a lot about yourself. Clearly, we need to elevate based on what we went through today."
Tuukka Rask made 32 saves, including 17 during the third period, for his first shutout of the season. The Sabres had scored at least two goals in 13 straight games entering the matchup.
Here are five takeaways.

1. A unique opportunity

Granato has encouraged his young lineup to embrace the opportunity of this final stretch, which features matchups with Stanley Cup contenders on virtually an every-other-night basis. On Thursday, it was Alex Ovechkin and Washington. On Saturday and Sunday, it was Sidney Crosby and Pittsburgh.
Boston presents its own set of challenges, a unit that perennially ranks among the league's best defensively but also possesses high-end skill on offense.
"They were adamant tonight and they showed … a very strong competitive identity," Granato said. "We got ourselves in trouble early, probably puck management, and chased the game."
The Bruins out-attempted the Sabres, 40-24, at 5-on-5 during the first 40 minutes and built a 2-0 lead on the strength of goals from Brad Marchand and Connor Clifton. They were able to stave off a comeback push by the Sabres in the third.
Now, the Sabres have an immediate chance to respond. The two teams meet twice more this week on Thursday and Friday.
"I'm glad we play them again because we get a chance to look in the mirror, look at the video, speak of this game, and measure ourselves again against a great hockey team and a team that is fighting for every point," Granato said. "There's no easy game for us. We've spoken that, spoken about that plenty of times, and the next game will not be any easier."

2. Rask robs Cozens

The Sabres nearly erased a 1-0 deficit during the first period when Dylan Cozens attempted a shot from the right of what appeared to be an open net. Rask lunged across the crease and turned the attempt away with his glove, the best of a few highlight-reel stops from the Bruins goaltender.

"That wasn't the game changer," Granato said. "Rask made a heck of a save. We just weren't good enough."

3. Special teams troubles

The Sabres went 0-for-6 on the power play, three of which ended prematurely due to penalties of their own. Rasmus Ristolainen was called for roughing in front of the net during one attempt. A tripping call against Sam Reinhart ended another.
"Again, lots of signs we wanted an easier game," Granato said. "But the competitive nature of a team like this and moved to this time of year where the points are so valuable for them, that was the difference.
"That's why you take a penalty. They're just one step quicker. It matters a little bit more to them and you're on the outside looking in and you've got to reach. Yeah, that was nothing more [than] an indicator of the overall picture for me."
The Sabres earned 1:33 at 5-on-3 late in the third period, prompting Granato to pull goaltender Dustin Tokarski to increase the advantage to 6-on-3. They were unable to generate a shot on goal during the ensuing power play, which ended with a call for too many men on the ice.
"It was not what we wanted," Granato said. "It was not competitive enough, there was not enough net focus and net drive. So, no question it was disappointing."

4. Caggiula's debut

Drake Caggiula played his first game with the Sabres since being claimed off waivers from Arizona on April 9. He had been in quarantine until Sunday.
Caggiula skated on a line with Tobias Rieder and Riley Sheahan and finished with 10:42 of ice time.

5. The big picture

The Sabres have a chance to regroup at practice on Wednesday before concluding the three-game set at KeyBank Center on Thursday and Friday. Those games could see the return of defenseman Will Borgen, who has been out since February due to a fracture in his right arm, as well as the NHL debut for goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
Coverage on Thursday begins at 6:30 p.m. on MSG. The puck drops at 7.