Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550/WBEN) - The Buffalo Sabres rallied from down by a goal with less than a minute remaining in regulation to force overtime, and eventually secure a 4-3 shootout victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday afternoon at KeyBank Center.
Vegas was able to score the game's first goal with a rush in the offensive zone.
Tanner Pearson carried the puck into the zone toward the net, and slid a pass across the crease to Brett Howden crashing the crease. The Golden Knights center was able to get just enough on the pass to re-direct the puck into the net and give the visitors a 1-0 lead with less than eight minutes remaining in the opening period.
The Sabres outshot Vegas, 12-7, in the first period, as Golden Knights goalie Adin Hill stopped all 12 shots on goal.
Neither team had a power play chance in the opening frame.
Midway through the second period, Howden laid a big hit on Sabres forward Jiri Kulich, leaving him down on the ice. Peyton Krebs immediately challenged Howden, and was assessed an instigator penalty, in addition to a fighting major and a 10-minute misconduct.
Pavel Dorofeyev doubled Vegas' lead to two goals with a goal later in the second period. The forward converted on a loose puck just outside of the crease after a turnover that was created by the Golden Knights.
However, the Sabres won the ensuing faceoff and were able to answer seven seconds later. Ryan McLeod completed the chance by beating Hill through the five-hold that trimmed Buffalo's deficit to 2-1.
Jacob Bryson and Bowen Byram were credited with the assists on the Sabres first goal of the game.
McLeod helped create a turnover chance in the offensive zone that resulted in a power play goal by Jason Zucker nearly halfway through the third period. Zucker's 19th goal of the year tied the game, 2-2, with Dorofeyev in the penalty box serving a tripping minor.
Jack Eichel was able to score the against his former team with just over two minutes remaining in regulation to give Vegas a 3-2 lead. The forward was able to punch in a loose puck by the side of the net for his 21st goal of the season.
Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin tied the game with 13.6 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game at 3-3. With Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen pulled for the extra attacker, Dahlin let go of a one-timer that beat Hill through a screen for his 12th tally of the year.
Neither team was able to score in overtime, despite chances at both ends of the ice. Vegas was credited with two shots on goal, while Buffalo had one.
After Vegas opened the shootout with a goal from former Sabres winger Victor Olofsson, Buffalo responded with a pair of goals in Round 2 and 3 from Jack Quinn and Alex Tuch to put the pressure back on the Golden Knights. Dorofeyev was then stopped on his shootout attempt in the bottom of Round 3, resulting in a Sabres win.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: NONE
VGK: 12:07 - Brett Howden (18) (Tanner Pearson, Ivan Barbashev)
Second Period:
BUF: 12:13 - Ryan McLeod (15) (Jacob Bryson, Bowen Byram)
VGK: 12:06 - Pavel Dorofeyev (27) (Tomas Hertl)
Third Period:
BUF: 9:53 - Jason Zucker (19) PPG (Unassisted); 19:46 - Rasmus Dahlin (12) (Bowen Byram, Tage Thompson)
VGK: 17:27 - Jack Eichel (21) (Mark Stone, Alex Pietrangelo)
Overtime:
BUF: NONE
VGK: NONE
Shootout:
BUF: Tage Thompson - Miss
VGK: Victor Olofsson - GOAL
BUF: Jack Quinn - GOAL
VGK: Jack Eichel - Save
BUF: Alex Tuch - GOAL
VGK: Pavel Dorofeyev - Save
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Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Rasmus Dahlin - BUF
2.) Ukko-Pekka Luukonen - BUF
3.) Ryan McLeod - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres will begin a four-game road trip on Monday in Boston against the Bruins at TD Garden. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. Pregame coverage with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog begins at 6 p.m.