The Buffalo Sabres closed the 2021 preseason with a 3-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday afternoon at KeyBank Center.
The Sabres were given the first power play of the game after Marc Staal was whistled for tripping. However, the blue and gold were not able to take advantage of the opportunity.
Buffalo outchanged and outshot the Red Wings in the opening 20 minutes. Craig Anderson turned away all six Detroit shots on goal, while the Sabres failed to score on their 17 shots.
J-J Peterka broke the stalemate with a goal on a redirection off of a Tage Thompson shot from the slot that gave Buffalo a 1-0 lead part way through the second period. Thompson was able to fend off a defender in the slot and use a wrist shot that was deflected to beat goalie Alex Nedeljkovic.
Detroit was able to tie the score at 1-1 a couple minutes later thanks to a strong shot by Sam Gagner as he glided through the slot. Mitchell Stephens was credited with the lone assist on the game-tying goal.
A giveaway in the offensive zone led to the second goal of the game for Buffalo. Zemgus Girgensons was able to sweep the puck into the net after Nedeljkovic turned it over at the side of the net, making the score 2-1. The goal came shorthanded for the Sabres while Casey Mittelstadt was in the penalty box.
The Sabres were able to score once in the third period to finish the exhibition schedule with a two-goal win, 3-1. Vinnie Hinostroza scored an empty-net goal with just over a minute remaining in regulation.
Goal Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
DET: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 6:00 - JJ Peterka (3) (Tage Thompson, Jacob Bryson); 19:47 - Zemgus Girgensons (1) SHG (Unassisted)
DET: 11:02 - Sam Gagner (1) (Mitchell Stephens)
Third Period:
BUF: 18:57 - Vinnie Hinostroza (2) ENG (Jeff, Skinner, Colin Miller)
DET: NONE
----------
Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
DET: 10:07 - Marc Staal (Tripping - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 18:30 - Casey Mittelstadt (Slashing - 2 min.)
DET: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
DET: NONE
----------
----------
Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) J-J Peterka - BUF
2.) Tage Thompson - BUF
3.) Zemgus Girgensons - BUF
----------
What's next:
The Sabres will trim their roster down to 23 players for opening night, which is set for Thursday, Oct. 14 against the Montreal Canadiens at KeyBank Center. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on the Radio Home of the Sabres - WGR Sports Radio 550. Sabres pregame coverage on WGR will start at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog.
***Photo: Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres)
