Columbus, Ohio (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres wrapped up the 2022-23 regular season on Friday night with a 5-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.
The Blue Jackets wasted next to no time getting themselves on the scoreboard, as forward Johnny Gaudreau cashed in on a rebound in front of Sabres goalie Devon Levi for his 21st goal of, what's been, a down season for the winger.
The Sabres roared back in a big way in the second period, as they responded with a run of three-consecutive goals to take a 3-1 edge in less than a six-minute span.
Jeff Skinner opened the scoring for Buffalo, as he capped off a beautiful give-and-go play with Casey Mittelstadt for his 35th goal of the season.
Just shy of four minutes later, Victor Olofsson was the beneficiary of being in the right spot at the right time after a bouncing puck found his stick in the slot. Following a blocked shot attempt, Olofsson quickly wristed a shot over the glove hand of Blue Jackets goalie Jon Gillies for his 28th goal of the year.
Alex Tuch gave Buffalo its 3-1 advantage just 1:26 later with a fantastic individual effort. Off a faceoff in the Columbus zone, Tuch gathered the puck, corralled himself, put the puck through the defender's leg and then wired a shot past Gillies for his 36th goal of the 2022-23 campaign.
Columbus snuck one past Levi before second period's end, as Tyler Angle potted his first-career goal on with 1:36 left in the middle frame.
The Sabres added their final two goals of the season in the third period of play.
First, it was Skinner returning an earlier favor, as he fed Mittelstadt right next to the Columbus net for his 15th goal of the year.
The final goal of the 2022-23 season comes from Peyton Krebs, as he gets some help from the Blue Jackets defender following him. It was Krebs' first goal in two months.
The victory helped Buffalo finish the year with a 42-33-7 overall record. The win was also the 25th victory on the road this season, which tied the franchise record.
Buffalo's leading scorer on the season ended up being Tage Thompson, who set career numbers with 47 goals and 47 assists for 94 points.
Skinner posted his first-career 80-point season in the NHL, scoring 35 goals and adding 47 assists for 82 points.
Also picking up 30-goal seasons this year for Buffalo included the likes of Tuch (36) and Dylan Cozens (31). It was the first time both players attained that mark in their careers.
Rasmus Dahlin's 73 points was tied for fifth-most among all NHL defensemen, and also bested his personal career-high by 20 points.
As for Mittelstadt, he blew by his previous career-high in points (25) with 59 points during the 2022-23 campaign.
In goal, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen led the quartet of goaltenders with 17 wins.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
CBJ: 0:34 - Johnny Gaudreau (21) (Tim Berni, Adam Boqvist)
Second Period:
BUF: 8:36 - Jeff Skinner (35) (Casey Mittelstadt); 12:35 - Victor Olofsson (28) (Dylan Cozens, Kale Clague); 14:01 - Alex Tuch (36) (Jeff Skinner)
CBJ: 18:24 - Tyler Angle (1) (Andrew Peeke, Gavin Bayreuther)
Third Period:
BUF: 4:03 - Casey Mittelstadt (15) (Jeff Skinner); 17:27 - Peyton Krebs (9) (Unassisted)
CBJ: NONE
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
CBJ: 1:59 - Hunter McKown (Holding - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 5:33 - Riley Stillman (Tripping - 2 min.)
CBJ: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
CBJ: NONE
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Casey Mittelstadt - BUF
2.) Jeff Skinner - BUF
3.) Tyler Angle - CBJ
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What's next:
Locker room clean-out day will take place over the weekend, followed by head coach Don Granato and general manager Kevyn Adams speaking one last time this season on Monday. WGR's own Paul Hamilton will have you covered on the flagship home of the Sabres - WGR Sports Radio 550.