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.

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

The Sabres, of course, have something to prove here. After Saturday night's 4-2 loss to Montreal in KeyBank Center, they're 0-3 against the Canadiens this year and have been outscored, 17-8.

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

Cole Caufield opened the scoring for the Montreal Canadiens in their Saturday matchup against the Buffalo Sabres. The Canadiens went on to win 4-2.

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.