The Buffalo Sabres did not have their "A" game on Thursday night, as they were thrashed by the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place by a final score of 6-1.
The Oilers opened the scoring 7:21 into the contest. Forward Kailer Yamamoto netted his 15th goal of the season against Sabres goalie Craig Anderson. Oilers captain Connor McDavid and defenseman Cody Ceci assisted on Yamamoto's scoring play.
McDavid quickly made it a two-point period when about six minutes later, the Edmonton superstar potted his 34th goal of the year.
Already leading 2-0, the Oilers struck twice more in the second period of play. Leon Draisaitl made it a three-goal game on an incredible effort, as he fell down while shoveling a puck past Anderson. The goal was Draisaitl's 40th of the 2021-22 campaign.
Later in the frame, defenseman Darnell Nurse got in on the fun with the Oilers' fourth even-strength goal of the night.
Victor Olofsson spoiled Mike Smith's shutout bid 3:21 into the final period of regulation, as the Sabres finally got on the board. The goal was Olofsson's 11th of the season as the score changed to 4-1.
Any hope of a comeback was squashed less than three minutes later, though. With the Sabres on a power play, Oilers forward Devin Shore was sprung free for a shorthanded breakaway and he cashed in with his fifth goal of the year to make it 5-1.
The Sabres' deficit swelled to five in the waning minutes of the game.
With Vinnie Hinostroza in the penalty box serving a high sticking double minor, Tyson Barrie snuck down into the left faceoff circle and accepted a pass from forward Warren Foegele. The Oilers defenseman one-timed the puck in past Anderson for the sixth Edmonton goal; this one on the power play.
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GAME RECAP:
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
EDM: 7:21 - Kailer Yamamoto (15) (Connor McDavid, Cody Ceci); 13:10 - Connor McDavid (34) (Kailer Yamamoto, Evander Kane)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
EDM: 8:42 - Leon Draisaitl (40) (Zach Hyman); 13:42 - Darnell Nurse (7) (Zach Hyman, Cody Ceci)
Third Period:
BUF: 3:21 - Victor Olofsson (11) (Rasmus Asplund, Colin Miller)
EDM: 5:58 - Devin Shore (5) SHG (Tyson Barrie); 15:36 - Tyson Barrie (4) PPG (Warren Foegele, Ryan McLeod)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
EDM: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 4:28 - Rasmus Dahlin (Holding - 2 min.)
EDM: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: 14:19 - Vinnie Hinostroza (High sticking - 4 min.)
EDM: 5:27 - Cody Ceci (Tripping - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Mike Smith - EDM
2.) Kailer Yamamoto - EDM
3.) Zach Hyman - EDM
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What's Next:
The blue and gold head to Calgary, Alberta to take on the Flames on Friday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Faceoff is set for 9 p.m. ET with pregame coverage on WGR startsing at 8 p.m. ET with Brian Koziol.
