The Sabres were unable to preserve their third period lead after the Los Angeles Kings scored twice to upend Buffalo, 3-2 on Sunday afternoon at Staples Center.
Neither team was able to score in the opening period, despite several scoring chances. Zemgus Girgensons hit the cross bar on an odd-man rush for Buffalo late in the first.
Los Angeles' best opportunity came on the power play. The Kings did not record a shot on goal while Vinnie Hinostroza sat for tripping, but were in the offensive zone a majority of the two minutes.
Each team was credited with seven shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes. Buffalo did not have a power play opportunity, while the Kings failed to score on their lone chance.
Rasmus Asplund broke the scoreless tie just over three minutes into the second period with a shorthanded goal. The forward was able to score his third goal of the road trip while Girgensons was in the penalty box for interference. The unassisted score was also Asplund's fourth goal of the season, giving Buffalo a 1-0 lead.
Victor Olofsson was able to double the Sabres lead to 2-0 with a goal a little over four minutes later. He was able to beat Jonathan Quick on a breakaway after Jacob Bryson helped set up the chance for Olofsson. Bryson received the lone assist on Olofsson's fifth goal of the season.
Buffalo's lead was cut in half, 2-1, after Carl Grundrstrom scored his second goal of the season midway through the period. Grundstrom was able to receive a pass from Anze Kopitar in the neutral zone and was able to beat Dustin Tokarski cutting across the front of the net. Kopitar and Tobias Bjornfot assisted on the score.
Dylan Cozens and Brendan Lemieux both received fighting majors when they met up late in the second period. Lemieux did not like a hit Cozens delivered and challenged the young forward to a fight.
Kopitar was able to score his seventh goal of the season less than five minutes into the third period to tie the game 2-2. His multi-point performance was the first of two goals for Los Angeles in the third that helped the team take the lead over the Sabres. Kale Clague and Adrian Kempe assisted on the power play goal.
Western New York native Alex Iafallo scored late in the third to give the Kings a 3-2 lead. Bjornfot and Kempe each added their second assists of the game on Iafallo's fourth score of the season. Buffalo was plagues by penalty trouble all third period long. After falling behind by a goal the Sabres were penalized twice.
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GAME SUMMARY
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
LAK: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 3:07 - Rasmus Asplund (4) SHG (Unassisted); 7:39 - Victor Olofsson (5) (Jacob Bryson)
LAK: 8:39 - Carl Grundstrom (2) (Anze Kopitar, Tobias Bjornfot)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
LAK: 4:50 - Anze Kopitar (7) PPG (Kale Clague, Adrian Kempe); 13:41 - Alex Iafallo (4) (Tobias Bjornfot, Adrian Kempe)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 8:52 - Vinnie Hinostroza (Tripping - 2 min.)
LAK: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 1:30 - Zemgus Girgensons (Interference - 2 min.); 16:03 - Dylan Cozens (Fighting - 5 min.)
LAK: 12:38 - Brendan Lemieux (Holding - 2 min.); 16:03 - Brendan Lemieux (Fighting - 5 min.); 19:14 - Rasmus Kupari (Holding - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 4:44 - Colin Miller (Holding - 2 min.); 14:27 - Team (Too many men on the ice - 2 min.); 17:23 - Colin Miller (Delay of Game - 2 min.)
LAK: NONE
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Anze Kopitar - LAK
2.) Alex Iafallo - LAK
3.) Adrian Kempe - LAK
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What's next:
Buffalo continues on the road this week. The Sabres will be in San Jose on Tuesday night to meet the Sharks at 10:30 p.m. ET on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. Pregame coverage starts at 9:30 p.m. ET with Brian Koziol.
