Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Bowen Byram and JJ Peterka each scored twice on Tuesday night, as the Buffalo Sabres were able to end a three-game losing skid with a 5-1 win over the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center.
The Sabres took advantage of an early power play opportunity in the first period to open up the scoring.
Shortly off a faceoff in the Ottawa end, Jason Zucker took the puck behind the Senators net and made a pass to the side of the crease. Peterka was able to bank his shot in off the shoulder of goalie Linus Ullmark, finding space inside the post for the 1-0 Buffalo lead. The goal is Peterka's fifth of the year.
The lone assist on the game's first goal went to Zucker, who already has seven helpers this season.
The power play came courtesy of Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, who was called for unsportsmanlike conduct after initiating a fight with Sabres winger Jordan Greenway.
The Sabres were credited with 10 total shots on goal in the opening period, leading to their one-goal lead after 20 minutes. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen also made 13 saves in the first period.
Buffalo was able to take advantage of a quick scoring chance in the second period to double their lead to 2-0.
Sabres center Ryan McLeod made a nice cross-ice pass from the left wing to Byram, who cut through the slot to score his second goal of the season.
As for Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin, he picked up the secondary assist on the goal, earning him his 300th career point in the NHL.
The Senators were able to cut Buffalo's lead in half nearly midway through the second period. Ridly Greig started a 2-on-1 chance in the offensive zone, and he was able to slap in a rebound chance through Luukkonen after his initial chance was stopped by the Sabres goalie.
Both teams were able to record double-digit shot totals in the second period, thanks in part to power play opportunities. However, neither side was able to take advantage of their special teams chances.
Buffalo scored two quick goals in the third period to take a commanding three-goal advantage.
Byram got the scoring started less than 30 seconds into the frame, as a shot from the point somehow snuck through Ullmark and into the net.
Then just 16 seconds later, Tage Thompson was credited with his eighth goal of the season after the puck goes into the Senators net off his shoulder in the crease.
Ottawa challenged the goal for goaltender interference, but officials deemed the contact in the crease was initiated by the Senators defenseman.
The two early third-period goals are among the fastest ever scored to begin a period in franchise history.
Buffalo padded their lead to four goals with another power play tally created by Thompson. He made a nice cross-ice pass that Peterka, who did not miss on his one-timer to extend the Sabres' lead to 5-1.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 6:37 - JJ Peterka (5) PPG (Jason Zucker)
OTT: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 0:17 - Bowen Byram (2) (Ryan McLeod, Rasmus Dahlin)
OTT: 7:31 - Ridly Greig (2) (Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk)
Third Period:
BUF: 0:21 - Bowen Byram (3) (Jordan Greenway, Ryan McLeod); 0:37 - Tage Thompson (8) (Alex Tuch, JJ Peterka); 12:08 - JJ Peterka (6) PPG (Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin)
OTT: NONE
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Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Bowen Byram - BUF
2.) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - BUF
3.) JJ Peterka - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres will head back on the road for a matchup with the New York Rangers on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. The puck drops at 7 p.m. EST on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550.
The Steve Foley Law Pregame Show with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog begins at 6 p.m. EST.