The Buffalo Sabres were a popular preseason pick to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And, to be fair, many expect this team to still contend for the postseason as the season goes along. However, Tage Thompson and the Sabres have not had the greatest start to the year. Their loss on Monday to the Montreal Canadiens is a shining example.

The box score tells you that the Sabres lost 3-1 to the Habs. Montreal goalie Jake Allen turned in a 36-save performance to earn the First Star of the Game. However, watching the game showed a different story. Buffalo dominated parts of this game. They outplayed their Atlantic Division rivals a decent amount. And yet, the final score won't reflect that.

Over the last two games, the Sabres have thrown 80 shots on goal. But they've only managed to find the back of the net four times. Thompson knows how frustrating this is, but he acknowledged they can't allow that frustration to take over.

“It’s frustrating, but I think as soon as you let frustration set in, negativity, you’re never going to get out of it,” said Thompson, via Buffalo Hockey Beat. “I think goals come in waves … you get streaky. You just got to do the right things every shift. I thought tonight we did. Obviously, that’s why that one hurts so much.”

Though this is frustrating, Thompson believes the Sabres should continue their current style of play. “We can’t change anything. We got to play like that,” he said, via Buffalo Hockey Beat.

Tage Thompson and his Buffalo team will need short memories regarding this game. They are in action on Tuesday, traveling to take on another Atlantic Division rival in the Ottawa Senators.