The Buffalo Sabres received contributions from a pair playing in their first game for the blue and gold, but it was not enough in their 4-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night at KeyBank Center.
New Jersey scored first thanks to an early power play opportunity. Dougie Hamilton scored his seventh goal of the season on a shot from the point. Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier were credited with the assists on the game's first goal. Kyle Okposo was in the penalty box for high sticking when New Jersey took the 1-0 lead.
Jesper Bratt doubled New Jersey's lead to 2-0 when he was able to convert on a rebound chance. P.K. Subban took the initial shot from the point, and Bratt was in the right spot for the puck to find him alone in the slot. Subban and Hughes assisted on the goal.
Brett Murray stepped in and fought Jonas Siegenthaler after the Devils' defenseman hit Okposo from an awkward angle. Murray received an instigator penalty, in addition to a fighting major.
Alex Tuch's first point as a member of the Sabres came in the second period when Tage Thompson re-directed his shot into the net to trim Buffalo's deficit to 2-1 less than a minute into the second period. The goal was Thompson's 11th of the season, with Tuch and Rasmus Dahlin receiving the assists.
Thompson scored again less than three minutes later to tie the game at 2-2. Dahlin made a pass from the defensive zone that allowed the forward to break in on goal all alone. Dahlin was credited with the only assist on Thompson's 12th goal of the year.
The Devils scored a pair of quick goals early in the third period to enjoy a 4-2 lead less than seven minutes into the frame. First, Hughes was able to gain position and chip in a rebound from the side of the net to make it 3-2 New Jersey. Then, just over two minutes later the puck hit Yegor Sharangovich after Ty Smith took a shot from the point.
Ethan Prow was able to halve the Sabres' deficit with his first career NHL goal in his first career NHL game. The defenseman pinched in from the point and scored on a rebound chance. Prow's goal made the score 4-3 in favor of New Jersey late in the third period.
Buffalo was unable to score the game-tying goal in the final minutes. They were outshot in the period 13-9 by New Jersey, and 42-22 in the game overall.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
NJD: 4:43 - Dougie Hamilton (7) PPG (Jack Highes, Nico Hischier); 11:48 - Jesper Bratt (9) (P.K. Subban, Jack Hughes)
Second Period:
BUF: 0:33 - Tage Thompson (11) (Alex Tuch, Rasmus Dahlin); 3:17 - Tage Thompson (12) (Rasmus Dahlin)
NJD: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: 14:38 - Ethan Prow (1) (Victor Olofsson, Mark Pysyk)
NJD: 4:28 - Jack Hughes (6) (Jesper Bratt, Yegor Sharangovich); 6:50 - Yegor Sharangovich (5) (Ty Smith, Jesper Bratt)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 4:01 - Kyle Okposo (High sticking - 2 min.); 14:56 - Brett Murray (Instigator - 2 min.); 14:56 - Brett Murray (Fighting - 5 min.); 14:56 - Brett Murray (10-minute misconduct)
NJD: 14:56 - Jonas Siegenthaler (Fighting - 5 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
NJD: 10:03 - Damon Severson (Tripping - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
NJD: NONE
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Jack Hughes - NJD
2.) Tage Thompson - BUF
3.) Jesper Bratt - NJD
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What's next:
The Sabres will head out to Long Island for a matchup with the New York Islanders on Thursday night at UBS Arena. Faceoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EST with pregame coverage on WGR set for 6:30 p.m. EST with Schopp and the Bulldog.
