Tage Thompson got the scoring going early with a wrist shot from the faceoff circle just 2:50 into the game. But Colorado would strike back quickly as Nathan MacKinnon ties the game 1-1 just 45 seconds later.
The scoring continued midway through the first period as JT Compher gave the Avs a 2-1 lead. Thompson got his second goal of the period with a great feed from Jeff Skinner to tie it 2-2. Then just moments later Nazem Kadri gave Colorado the lead right back again making it 3-2 at the end of the first period.
The scoring quieted down to start the second period, but Thompson would tie the game 3-3 with his first career hat trick.
Alex Newhook gave the Avalanche the 4-3 lead midway through the third period. Then late in the game with the Sabres net empty, Mikko Rantanen makes it a 5-3 win for Colorado.
GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 2:50 - Tage Thompson (17) (Skinner, Tuch)
12:42 - Tage Thompson (18) (Skinner, Dahlin)
COL: 3:35 - Nathan MacKinnon (11) (Makar, Toews)
11:18 - JT Compher (9) (Aube-Kubel)
13:02 - Nazem Kadri (21) (Nichushkin)
Second Period:
BUF: 12:54 - Tage Thompson (19) (Samuelsson)
COL: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
COL: 8:37 - Alex Newhook (11) (Rantanen)
19:08 - Mikko Rantanen (26) (MacKinnon, Johnson)
Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 18:44 - Peyton Krebs (Slashing - 2 min.)
COL: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 13:40 - Mattias Samuelsson (Interference - 2 min.)
COL: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
COL: 9:11 - Eric Johnson (Tripping - 2 min.)
Losi and Gangi Three Stars
1. Tage Thompson
2. Nathan MacKinnon
3. Nazem Kadri
What's Next
The blue and gold set out on the road on Sunday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Buffalo and Columbus drop the puck at six o'clock on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. Pregame with Pat Malacaro starts at five p.m.