A sobering reality hovers above the struggling Buffalo Sabres

How the loss to Tampa Bay materialized was also concerning.

It was shades of the old Sabres. The defensive breakdowns were constant as players starting trying to make plays completely out of structure, which allowed the Lightning to generate an endless stream of high-danger chances to start running up the score.

Last season, there was a certain flow to Buffalo's play. Even if something went wrong or it fell behind by a couple goals, it was able to reestablish its system to create chances in transition and generate an effective cycle in the offensive zone.

Everything feels hard for the Sabres right now. They can't get anything going offensively on a consistent basis and, when they don't capitalize on some early chances, things begin to snowball when the opponent build a lead.

It's still early. They have 66 games left to rediscover the magic. But their level of performance across the board through the first 18 contests is causing some alarm bells to start ringing. They shouldn't push the panic button, but perhaps it's time to take it out of the drawer.

Meanwhile, let's jump in to the latest installment of our Sabres player grades series.

Buffalo Sabres comprehensively crushed by the Tampa Bay Lightning

Sabres Player Grades

Buffalo Player of the Game: Tage Thompson

Thompson was one of the few Sabres players who was able to help generate some attacking pressure against the Lightning on Wednesday. His goal early in the third period, which briefly trimmed Tampa's lead to 4-3, ignited the crowd.

The Bolts responded with two goals over the next three minutes to end the comeback dreams, but it was still a strong overall performance for Buffalo's offensive cornerstone, who's on pace for his first 50-goal season despite the team's struggles.

Finding a way to get Thompson more open looks on the power play is still a work in progress, though.

Sabres Quick Hits

• The goaltending grades may feel a bit harsh considering Buffalo's defensive lapses but, at some point, the Sabres need some tough saves. Neither UPL nor Colten Ellis has been able to step up to secure the No. 1 role while Alex Lyon has been sidelined by injury.

• Josh Doan is playing better hockey and the goals should start coming more regularly.

• A solid, albeit modest, return to the lineup for Ryan McLeod after a pair of healthy scratches.

• Conor Timmins had mostly played well since his return from injury but it was a dreadful night for the third-pair defenseman against Tampa.

• The Sabres (8-7-3) begin a six-game road trip Thursday night against the Chicago Blackhawks (4-13-1) at the United Center.