"We played pissed off," Beaulieu said. "We need to start games like that. Guys are angry, guys are mad. That's kind of the mindset you need to go into the game. It's not something you can just teach, you can't just get pissed off. But we need to have that mindset.
"It shouldn't have to take four goals against and your goalie getting pulled to start that. It's frustrating but the only thing you can do is learn from it."
With another playoff-caliber opponent coming to town for another afternoon game on Monday, the Sabres returned to KeyBank Center on Sunday morning in preparation for their game against the Washington Capitals.
Like he did prior to their game against the Kings, who came into Buffalo on a three-game losing streak, Sabres coach Phil Housley said to expect a strong push from their opponent on Monday. That Capitals, clinging to a one-point lead in the Metropolitan Division, are coming off a 7-1 loss in Chicago.
The Sabres played well in their first matchup with the Capitals this season, a 3-1 win in Buffalo on Nov. 7.
"Passion and emotion is a great tool," Housley said. "I think we have to have more emotion. I think we need to play with more passion. I thought we had a really good game against Washington last time we played them here. We're going to try to use some of those examples, why we played the way we did, and we have to prepare that way. I just think we have to control what we can control."
Starts to games have been an issue for the Sabres throughout their season. Their 29 first-period goals rank last in the NHL, and they're just 2-18-2 when trailing at the first intermission.
"In Montreal, that was one of our keys to success," Beaulieu said. "We were a team that tried to jump on other teams because we were so fast and quick. Playing at the Bell Centre, you tried to get the crowd behind you.
"It seems like we can't get our crowd behind us. They're there, they're cheering, but when you go down that early and get booed off the ice, it doesn't sit well."
The Sabres will have another chance to change that on Monday. The Capitals might come to town angry on the heels of a disappointing loss. Then again, so should they.
"I think the message to our players today is get to ready for a team that's going to be pushing back, so to speak," Housley said. "We have to be prepared for that, but we have to have our own push as well."
