BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Buffalo Sabres scored four straight goals in the second period, including a pair of Jason Zucker power play goals, to defeat the Ottawa Senators 8-4 on Wednesday night at KeyBank Center.
The Sabres scored their first power play goal of the season, snapping an 0-for-11 streak to begin the year, thanks to a fortunate bounce off of a missed scoring chance.
Jack Quinn was credited with his first goal of the season. It was also the first lead of the year for the Sabres with their 1-0 advantage over Ottawa in the first period.
The Senators could not capitalize on either of their power play chances but score the equalizer with just under four minutes remaining in the first period. Tim Stutzle was able to tip in a shot from Fabian Zetterlund past Alex Lyon to make the score 1-1.
Buffalo was credited with just three shots on goal in the first period compared to nine for Ottawa. The Senators had two power play chances and did not score. The Sabres have now killed off all 13 penalties to begin the season.
Ottawa was able to take advantage of a loose puck in the Sabres crease and kept chipping until it went in the net for a 2-1 lead. The goal was not awarded initially, but after a discussion by the officials it was deemed a goal. Buffalo challenged for goaltender interference and lost the challenge, upholding the goal.
However, Ryan McLeod and Zach Benson help create a turnover in the offensive zone while on the penalty kill to even the score.
The goal was McLeod's first of the season with Benson picking up an assist in his first game of the season. The goal helped Buffalo kill off both penalties and tie the game 2-2 in the second period.
Minutes later Alex Tuch was able to slam in a second chance opportunity after a shot from the point to help the Sabres re-take the lead over Ottawa.
Jacob Bryson took the shot that eventually resulted in the go-ahead goal. Bryson and Josh Doan received the assists. The two goals came less than four minutes apart to give Buffalo a 3-2 lead.
The Sabres second power play goal of the game doubled the lead over Ottawa to 4-2 thanks in part to a pass by Rasmus Dahlin from the side of the net to create the chance.
Zucker would be in the right spot just minutes later for his second power play goal of the game. This time when the puck deflects off of him after a shot from just inside the blue line.
Zucker's two goals in just under two minutes extended Buffalo's lead to 5-2 over the Senators. Josh Doan took the shot that resulted in the goal, helping the young forward pick up his second assist of the game.
The two teams traded back-to-back goals early in the third period to produce four goals in less than 3:30 of game play.
Shane Pinto's fifth goal of the season came just 40 seconds into the third period and was followed by Lars Eller's first goal of the season. The two goals less than two minutes apart trimmed Buffalo's lead to 5-4.
However, Lindy Ruff called timeout and his team responded immediately with a pair of goals of their own. First McLeod scored his second goal of the game to extend the lead back to two goals, 6-4.
Just over 40 seconds later Peyton Krebs and Quinn converted on a two-on-one chance to advance the lead to 7-4 over the Senators.
Krebs was credited with the only assist on the goal, his first point of the season. Quinn scored his second goal of the night and first at even strength to restore the three-goal advantage.
Buffalo would add any empty-net goal with just minutes to go in the third period to extend the lead to 8-4.
The goal was Kulich's first of the night as well as his first of the season. Thompson recorded his second assist of the game, while Benson recorded his third point of the night.
Goal Summary
First Period
BUF: 8:01 - Jack Quinn (1) PPG (Bowen Byram, Rasmus Dahlin)
OTT: 16:09 - Tim Stutzle (1) (Fabian Zetterlund, Jordan Spence)
Second Period
BUF: 6:46 - Ryan McLeod (1) SHG (Zach Benson, Owen Power). 10:17 - Alex Tuch (1) (Jacob Bryson, Josh Doan). 11:46 - Jason Zucker (2) PPG (Rasmus Dahlin, Zach Benson). 13:43 - Jason Zucker (3) PPG (Josh Doan, Tage Thompson)
OTT: 3:58 - Jake Sanderson (1) (Ridley Greig, Dylan Cozens)
Third Period
BUF: 2:32 - Ryan McLeod (2) (Alex Tuch, Josh Doan). 3:17 - Jack Quinn (2) (Petyon Krebs). 16:44 - Jiri Kulich (1) ENG (Tage Thompson, Zach Benson)
OTT: 0:40 - Shane Pinto (5) (Jordan Spence, Jake Sanderson). 2:15 - Lars Eller (1) (Nick Cousins, Jordan Spence)
Three Stars of the Game
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What's Next
The Sabres will conclude their quick three-game homestand by hosting the Florida Panthers on Saturday afternoon. The puck drops just after 1:00 p.m. on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network -WGR Sportsradio 550. Pregame coverage starts at 12:00 p.m. with Brian Koziol.