Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres were able to keep their slim playoff hopes alive on Saturday, as they took down the Metropolitan Division-leading Carolina Hurricanes, 4-3, at KeyBank Center.
Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin had a goal and two assists, while forward Casey Mittelstadt netted two to lead the way for Buffalo. In goal, Devon Levi earned his third win of the season, stopping 31 shots in the victory.
Mittelstadt got the Sabres on the board early, as he found himself in alone on net just four minutes into the game.
The Hurricanes came back strong later in the period, though, with two quick goals, first from Seth Jarvis and then from Jesper Fast just 22 seconds apart to give Carolina a 2-1 lead.
Dahlin evened up the game early in the second period on the power play, as he netted his 15th goal of the season and first goal since Jan. 23.
Carolina re-gained the lead midway through the second with Sebastian Aho scoring his 35th goal of the season.
However, with less than two minutes remaining in the second, Buffalo evened the score again, as Dahlin made some slick moves through the slot and found Mittelstadt for his second goal of the game.
Dahlin continued to make a difference in this game, as he made a game-saving stop with his stick on Martin Necas with about 14 minutes left on the clock.
Then just moments later, Dylan Cozens fed Tage Thompson for a one-timer in the slot, beating Hurricanes goalie Antti Raanta to give the Sabres a 4-3 lead.
Carolina would get a chance to tie the game at 4-4 with 4:30 remaining in the game with Jeff Skinner heading to the penalty box for interference. However, the Sabres stood tall and killed off the man advantage, and eventually held on for the 4-3 win.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 4:00 - Casey Mittelstadt (11) (Jeff Skinner, Rasmus Dahlin)
CAR: 14:34 - Seth Jarvis (14) (Jesperi Kotkaniemi); 14:56 - Jesper Fast (9) (Jordan Staal, Jordan Martinook)
Second Period:
BUF: 4:04 - Rasmus Dahlin (15) PPG (Jeff Skinner, Alex Tuch); 18:18 - Casey Mittelstadt (12) (Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power)
CAR: 11:04 - Sebastian Aho (35) (Teuvo Teravainen, Jesse Puljujarvi)
Third Period:
BUF: 6:15 - Tage Thompson (46) (Dylan Cozens)
CAR: NONE
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 18:51 - Henri Jokiharju (Tripping - 2 min.)
CAR: 6:09 - Shayne Gostisbehere (High-sticking - 2 min.); 16:43 - Jesepri Kotkaniemi (Tripping - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
CAR: 3:36 - Jalen Chatfield (Cross-checking - 2 min.); 4:04 - Bench minor (Unsportsmanlike conduct - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 15:30 - Jeff Skinner (Interference - 2 min.)
CAR: NONE
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Rasmus Dahlin - BUF
2.) Casey Mittelstadt - BUF
3.) Jeff Skinner - BUF
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What's next:
The blue and gold head out on the road to face the New York Rangers on Monday at Madison Square Garden for a 7 p.m. ET faceoff. Catch all of the action on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550 - starting with pregame coverage at 6 p.m. ET with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog.