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Sabres spoil Callahan’s Lightning debut, Stamkos’ return

Buffalo Sabres v Tampa Bay Lightning

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 6: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning avoids a check from Zemgus Girgensons #28 of the Buffalo Sabres at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on March 6, 2014 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

Mike Carlson

The good news is that Steven Stamkos looked dangerous in his first game as Tampa Bay Lightning captain and Ryan Callahan made an impact in his debut. The bad news is that they couldn’t beat Jhonas Enroth often enough to win on Thursday, as the Buffalo Sabres took a 3-1 victory.

Enroth, 25, has been on quite the hot streak in his audition for a heightened role in post-Ryan Miller Buffalo. He stopped 43 out of 44 shots and now has three wins in his last four games, which is especially impressive being that he only has one other win all season long.

Even with the loss, Stamkos, 24, called the night a “step in the right direction” as he returned from injury. Lightning head coach Jon Cooper echoed that sentiment to Fox Sports’ Andrew Astleford and also praised Callahan’s first effort with the team.

It’s easy to see why Cooper was happy with the effort, even if the results weren’t there. Stamkos and Callahan, 28, combined for nine shots on goal and six hits in a busy evening. They also gave Lightning fans a chance to move on from Martin St. Louis ... although that might take some time:

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins