Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550/WBEN) - The Sabres had a lead on two different occasions Monday afternoon, but it was a goal late in the second period that propelled the Anaheim Ducks to a 4-3 victory at KeyBank Center in Downtown Buffalo.
Jordan Greenway was active in the early moments of the first period, leading to the game's first goal.
The winger was stopped by Ducks goalie John Gibson on a breakaway attempt minutes in the contest. However, a turnover in the neutral zone forced by defenseman Ryan Johnson helped create a chance for Greenway midway through the first that he did not miss.
Dylan Cozens received the lone assist on the goal that gave the Sabres a 1-0 lead.
Adam Henrique tied the game at 1-1- just minutes later with his 16th goal of the year off a turnover by the Sabres in their own end.
Buffalo was credited with 15 shots on goal in the first period, with Gibson making 14 saves for Anaheim to keep the game tied. The Ducks scored on one of their four shots on goal.
Neither team had a power play chance in the first period.
The Sabres were able to capitalize on their first power play chance of the game to re-establish a one-goal lead over Anaheim. Tage Thompson scored his 16th goal of the year with a special teams tally midway through the second period.
The goal came after several quality scoring chances for Thompson and the Sabres on the man advantage. Rasmus Dahlin and Cozens assisted on the goal that gave Buffalo a 2-1 lead.
Less than three minutes later, though, Frank Vatrano converted on a Buffalo turnover to tie the game, 2-2. The Sabres turned the puck over at their own blue line, and a Mason McTavish shot made it through goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen that Vatrano was able to chip into an open net.
Vatrano scored again on his next shift to give Anaheim their first lead of the game, 3-2, later in the middle period.
However, Zach Benson and the Sabres answered back thanks to a delayed penalty which allowed the team to use an extra attacker. Henri Jokiharju took a shot from the point that was re-directed into the net to tie the game, 3-3, .
Troy Terry recorded his third point of the period with a goal in the late stages of the second frame. McTavish also recorded his third point of the period, his third assist, that helped Anaheim enjoy a 4-3 lead over Buffalo through 40 minutes.
Gibson made the save of the game midway through the third period, as he kept a Thompson shot from in-tight out of the net with a quick glove hand.
The Ducks goaltender ended up making 34 saves to preserve the victory for the visitors. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was credited with just 11 saves in the loss.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 9:07 - Jordan Greenway (9) (Dylan Cozens)
ANA: 10:10 - Adam Henrique (16) (Max Jones, Ross Johnston)
Second Period:
BUF: 8:10 - Tage Thompson (16) PPG (Rasmus Dahlin, Dylan Cozens), 15:20 - Zach Benson (6) (Henri Jokiharju, JJ Peterka)
ANA: 11:59 - Frank Vatrano (25) (Mason McTavish, Troy Terry), 14:34 - Frank Vatrano (26) (Mason McTavish, Troy Terry), 18:56 - Troy Terry (16) (Mason McTavish)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
ANA: NONE
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Losi & Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Frank Vatrano - ANA
2.) Mason McTavish - ANA
3.) Zach Benson - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres will head out on the road for a pair of games as part of a stretch of four road games in their next five contests.
Buffalo is in Montreal for a 7 o'clock faceoff against the Canadiens on Wednesday night with pregame coverage on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550 - starting at 6 p.m. EST with Mike Schopp and Chris "Bulldog" Parker.