The past 58 games have revealed the team's roster needs more experience, leadership, toughness and players who can execute coach Lindy Ruff’s system that necessitates quick decision-making.

The Buffalo Sabres just can’t seem to figure out the Montreal Canadiens this season. Going into Monday’s game in Montreal they’re 0-3-0 against them and have been outscored 17-8.

Turning to the final leg of this SGP, Montreal winger Cole Caufield has been limited to just five shots across his past four games despite registering 15 attempts (33.3% shooting efficiency). He recorded 3+ shots in 16 of 23 games before the mini-skid, converting 82 of his 134 attempts into shots (61.2% efficiency).

While underscoring how disappointing the season has been, the Sabres spinned the positives and pitched the long view.

For too long, the Buffalo Sabres have been an afterthought. That’s what happens when you fail to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for 13-straight seasons. Given that the Sabres will likely miss the post-season again this year, there needs to be a more aggressive, urgent approach to changing the course for this club.

Mikko Rantanen had a goal and an assist and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2. Jordan Staal, Sebastian Aho, Taylor Hall and Seth Jarvis also scored for Carolina, which had lost its first two games after the league break for the 4 Nations Face-Off.

The Buffalo Sabres are coming off a win over the New York Rangers where it scored a season-high eight goals. Buffalo hosts the Anaheim Ducks Tuesday, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. ET. How to watch: Sabres vs. Rangers airs locally on MSG, it can be streamed on ESPN+. Time: 7 p.m. ET

Henri Jokiharju scored 9:31 into the third period to give the Buffalo Sabres a 3-2 win against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night.