Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres scored first, but the Columbus Blue Jackets scored the next seven goals on their way to a 9-4 victory at KeyBank Center on Tuesday night.
The Sabres wasted very little time getting on the scoresheet to entertain the home fans. Rasmus Dahlin was able to score just 30 seconds into the game, giving Buffalo a 1-0 lead over Columbus.
Dylan Cozens and Casey Mittelstadt were credited with the assists on Dahlin's eighth goal of the season.
Columbus was able to score the equalizer midway through the opening period when Johnny Gaudreau was able to help create a turnover in the offensive zone. The forward was able to slide the puck to the front of the net, while Justin Danforth was at the side of the crease swiping at the puck as well. Gaudreau's sixth goal of the year tied the game, 1-1.
Nearly five minutes later, Adam Fantilli was able to score with a shot from below the goal line to give the Blue Jackets a one-goal lead. The forward's tally was scored after banking the puck off of goalie Devon Levi on a bad angle that put the Sabres behind, 2-1.
The Blue Jackets were able to score once more before the end of the opening period thanks to a power play opportunity. Kirill Marchenko made a highlight reel move to score his 11th goal of the year. It came with Peyton Krebs in the penalty box for high-sticking. The goal with less than a minute remaining in the period extended the Sabres deficit to 3-1.
Marchenko scored twice early in the second period to record a natural hat-trick and balloon Columbus' lead to 5-1. His second goal of the night resulted in a goaltender change. However, the first shot on Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen resulted in Marchenko's third goal of the game.
Goals by Erik Gudbranson and Sean Kuraly increased Columbus' lead to 7-1 over the Sabres in the second period.
Kyle Okposo was able to cut into the Sabres deficit with his sixth goal of the season. The goal came with just over a minute remaining in the second period.
Mittelstadt recorded his second assist of the game, in addition to Victor Olofsson adding his first of the night.
Tage Thompson's eighth goal of the season came early in the third period to cut the deficit to four. His power play goal came with Andrew Peeke in the penalty box for holding.
Dahlin and Alex Tuch received the assists on the goal that made the score 7-3 in favor of Columbus.
Cozens was able to add his sixth goal of the season, and his second point of the game, early in the third period.
The goal brought the Sabres within three, 7-4.
However, Cole Sillinger answered less than a minute later to extend Columbus' lead to 8-4 in the third period. Kent Johnson added another goal for a five-goal Blue Jackets advantage to cap the scoring at 9-4.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 0:30 - Rasmus Dahlin (8) (Dylan Cozens, Casey Mittelstadt)
CBJ: 10:35 - Johnny Gaudreau (6) (Adam Fantilli); 14:40 - Adam Fantilli (9) (Johnny Gaudreau, Ivan Provorov); 19:48 - Kirill Marchenko (11) PPG
(Johnny Gaudreau, Zach Werenski)
Second Period:
BUF: 18:54 - Kyle Okposo (6) (Casey Mittelstadt, Victor Olofsson)
CBJ: 7:37 - Kirill Marchenko (12) (Yegor Chinakov, Andrew Peeke); 7:55 - Kirill Marchenko (13) (Yegor Chinakov, Ivan Provorov); 8:52 - Erik Gudbranson (3) (Alexandre Texier, Sean Kuraly); 12:27 - Sean Kuraly (6) (Alexandre Texier, Brendan Gaunce)
Third Period:
BUF: 2:57 - Tage Thompson (8) PPG (Rasmus Dahlin, Alex Tuch); 7:51 - Dylan Cozens (6) (Zach Benson, Casey Mittelstadt)
CBJ: 8:30 - Cole Sillinger (2) (Zach Werenski, Kent Johnson); 10:59 - Kent Johnson (4) (Cole Sillinger, Emil Bemstrom)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Kirill Marchenko - CBJ
2.) Johnny Gaudreau - CBJ
3.) Zach Werenski - CBJ
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What's next:
The Sabres are scheduled to host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night in Downtown Buffalo. Pregame coverage on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550 - begins at 6 p.m. EST with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog. The puck drops at 7 p.m. EST with Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray on the call.