The Buffalo Sabres trailed by three goals heading into the third period, and came within a goal but could not complete the comeback in a 5-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night at KeyBank Center.
Kent Johnson opened the scoring with a power play goal a little more than two minutes into the game, giving Columbus a 1-0 lead. Nick Blankenburg and Elvis Merzlikins assisted on the game's first goal.
However, Tage Thompson answered back just 18 seconds later with his 41st goal of the season. His wrister beat Merzlinkins to tie the game 1-1. Jeff Skinner and Jack Quinn were credited with the assists.
Columbus was able to enjoy a 2-1 lead late in the opening period thanks to an Eric Robinson goal. The forward was able to take advantage of a fortuitous bounce and buried his shot past Craig Anderson.
Robinson added his second goal of the game to extend Columbus' lead to 3-1 midway through the middle frame. Sean Kuraly made a pass from below the goal line to help setup Robinsons' seventh goal of the year after he was left alone in the slot.
Boone Jenner helped ballooned the Columbus lead to 4-1 with just seconds to go in the second period. He was able to sneak a shot under the cross bar and beat Anderson.
A goal a little more than five minutes into the third period trimmed the Sabres deficit to two goals, 4-2. Jack Quinn was able to use a wrist shot from the face-off circle to Merzlikins' left to beat the goaltender and score his 11th goal of the season.
A power play goal less than five minutes later brought the Sabres within a goal, 4-3. JJ Peterka was able to score after Columbus was called for too many men on the ice. It was Peterka's first goal since December 13.
Robinson was able to complete his hat trick and end the Sabres threat, 5-3. His eighth goal of the season was assisted by Jenner. It came with the Sabres' goal empty in favor of an extra skater.
Game Summary
Goal Summary
First Period
BUF: 3:11 - Tage Thompson (41) (Jeff Skinner, Jack Quinn)
CBJ: 2:53 - Kent Johnson (13) PPG (Nick Blankenburg, Elvis Merzlikins)
13:41 - Eric Robinson (6) (unassisted)
Second Period
BUF: none
CBJ: 11:53 - Eric Robinson (7) (Sean Kuraly, Patrik Laine); 19:42 - Boone Jenner (19) (Nick Blankenburg, Andrew Peeke)
Third Period
BUF: 5:02 - Jack Quinn (11) (Mattias Samuelsson)
CBJ: 19:24 - Eric Robinson (12) ENG (Boone Jenner)
Penalty Summary
First Period
BUF: 1:24 - Dylan Cozens (2 min., tripping)
CBJ: none
Second Period
BUF: none
CBJ: 0:09 - Jack Roslovic (2 min., holding)
Third Period
BUF: none
CBJ: 8:20 - Team (2 min., too many men on the ice); 15:02 - Sean Kuraly (2 min., tripping)
Losi and Gangi Three Stars
1. Eric Robinson
2. Jack Quinn
3. Boone Jenner
What's Next
The Sabres head to Boston to take on the Bruins on Thursday night. The puck drops on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550 at seven o'clock. Pregame coverage with Mike Schopp starts at 6 p.m.