Dead last in the Eastern Conference with two wins in their previous 10 games, injured at forward and with a rookie goalie making his fourth NHL appearance, the Buffalo Sabres are as close as it gets to a free space on a bingo card.

The Edmonton Oilers, unfortunately, are as close as it gets to a frustrating, inconsistent, lifeless disappointment.

And when these two floundering clubs went head-to-head Monday, it wasn’t even close

Just when it looked like the Oilers might be figuring things out, they went out and stumbled their way to a 5-1 defeat, showing everyone that they haven’t.

Under the N: Not good enough. Not by a long shot.

In bowing down to the lowly Sabres, the rudderless Oilers still can’t find the formula that made them Stanley Cup contenders the last two years.

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