'The loss hurts Buffalo's dwindling hopes to make up ground in the playoff race, and the road only gets harder in the coming weeks. The Sabres play six of their next seven games on the road and all will have playoff implications on the line. Buffalo plays at the New York Islanders and Rangers, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, and Carolina in the next two weeks. The outcomes of these games may determine if the Sabres have a shot to recover ground and make the final playoff spot.'