Doan, Coyotes feeling frustrated after lackluster loss to last-place Sabres

Phoenix Coyotes' Tim Kennedy (34) tries to get off a shot as Buffalo Sabres' Steve Ott (9) defends as Sabres goalie Ryan Miller (30) watches the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. The Sabres defeated the Coyotes 3-2. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

Phoenix Coyotes' Thomas Greiss, of Germany, gives up a goal to Sabres' Zemgus Girgensons during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. The Sabres defeated the Coyotes 3-2. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

The Phoenix Coyotes' latest loss left captain Shane Doan red-faced with anger.

Playing what had been deemed a must-win game, the Coyotes blew a 2-1 lead and lost to the last-place Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night.

After the game, Doan was clearly agitated, calling the team's effort "embarrassing."

Phoenix got off to the second-best start in franchise history, but has struggled lately, falling to ninth in the Western Conference.

The loss to Buffalo was even more aggravating because it came two days after the Coyotes played perhaps their best game of the season, a 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings.

Phoenix has three games left before the Olympic break, all against teams still in the West playoff race: against Chicago and two against Dallas.