BUFFALO, N.Y. (MS) -- Dylan Strome's first NHL goal wasn't how he grew up imagining it, but he'll take it.
Drafted third by the Buffalo Sabres in June's draft, Strome centered a pass for teammate Mikhail Grigorenko that bounced in off an opponent's skate, the Sabres' lone goal in Monday's 4-1 loss to Columbus.
Buffalo is 0-3 to start the season, hoping to keep climbing after finishing 30th in the NHL two seasons ago and 29th last year.
"I always dreamed I'd score my first on a breakaway, or maybe with a blast from the circle, but it's good to be on the board," said Strome, who saw eight minutes of ice time.
"We're working him in slowly," Sabres coach Randy Carlyle said. "It's a process."
Strome admits he's struggling to block out the disappointment echoed by many Sabres fans over the team's failure to land either of last year's mega-prospects Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, drafted by Edmonton and Arizona, respectively.
"It's hard to listen to people say I won't be a great player, like they know it," Strome said. "This city is used to things going wrong and I feel like some fans here think I'm an example of that.
"I'll do my best though."
The Sabres seemed destined for Eichel at worst last season as they languished at the bottom of the standings for months. But the team defied the doubters in the season's final weekend, rallying past Columbus on Grigorenko's late goal, then stunning Pittsburgh 1-0 in the finale on a goal by Brian Gionta, courageously playing through an upper-body injury, and Anders Lindback's 55 saves.
Lindback stopped only 18 of 22 Columbus shots yesterday and has allowed 13 goals in the Sabres' three losses.
"It's a long season," he said.
Carlyle, hired to replace Ted Nolan this season, remained non-committal on whether Strome will head back to his junior team in Erie before the end of the month.
Originally Posted by mysticsoto
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