Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550/WBEN) - Rasmus Dahlin scored two power play goals for the Buffalo Sabres in a 5-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night at KeyBank Center.
Buffalo's first power play chance of the game midway through the first period yielded the first goal of the game. Dahlin was able to use a wrist shot through traffic to beat Dan Vladar for his fifth goal of the season.
The captain's goal came with Cam York in the penalty box for cross-checking. Josh Doan and Tage Thompson were credited with assists on the goal that gave the Sabres a 1-0 lead over Philadelphia.
The Sabres defense contributed to their second goal of the night when Noah Ostlund found Mattias Samuelsson with a pass in the slot. Samuelsson did not miss on the scoring chance to double Buffalo's lead to 2-0 in the first period.
Samuelsson's eighth goal of the season came on just the third shot on goal for the team in the game. Ostlund and Doan received the assists.
Philadelphia was credited with eight shots on goal in the first period. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made eight saves, including one on special teams. Luukkonen was called for the only penalty for Buffalo in the first period when he was penalized for hooking.
Samuel Ersson replaced Vladar to start the second period, but Buffalo was able to get to the back-up goaltended early in the frame. Jack Quinn was able to find a soft spot in the slot and score off of a one-timer from Ryan McLeod.
Zach Benson created the turnover that helped lead to Quinn's 10th goal of the season. McLeod and Benson were credited with assists for their efforts on the goal.
Philadelphia's first goal of the game came midway through the second period. Owen Tippett used a screen by the Buffalo defense to unleash a wrist shot along the ice that beat Luukkonen. Tippett's 15th goal of the year trimmed the Sabres lead to 3-1.
Dahlin scored his second power play goal in the game. It was a similar goal as his in the first period. The defenseman recorded his first two-goal game of the season with his power play goals.
Jason Zucker went to the front of the net and helped create confusion at the top of the crease. Josh Norris and Thompson assisted on the second power play goal of the game for the Sabres to make it 4-1.
The Flyers were able to get within two goals thanks to their first power play goal of the night. Trevor Zegras was credited with his 18th goal of the season after directing the puck into the net off his skate. Travis Konecny sent the puck across the crease to create the goal. It was deemed Zegras did not kick the puck into the net, trimming the deficit to 4-2 midway throught the third period.
Buffalo's final goal came with Ersson pulled in favor of an extra skater and a six-on-four disadvantage. McLeod scored an empty-net goal with Alex Tuch helping to create the scoring chance in the final minute of regulation.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 9:30 - Rasmus Dahlin (5) PPG (Josh Doan, Tage Thompson); 15:13 - Mattias Samuelsson (8) (Noah Ostlund, Josh Doan)
PHI: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 4:22 - Jack Quinn (10) (Ryan McLeod, Zach Benson)
PHI: 10:28 - Owen Tippett (15) (Noah Cates)
Third Period:
BUF: 19:20 - Ryan McLeod (10) SHG (Alex Tuch)
PHI: 7:37 - Trevor Zegras (18) PPG (Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett)
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Blue Star Home Services Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Rasmus Dahlin - BUF
2.) Josh Doan - BUF
3.) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - BUF
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What's Next:
The Sabres are right back at it on Thursday night in the second half of their back-to-back stretch at KeyBank Center. Buffalo will host the Montreal Canadiens on 2005-06 Reunion Night, with duck drop slated for 7:00 p.m. on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550.
Pregame coverage starts at 6 p.m. with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog.