Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550/WBEN) - The Buffalo Sabres were unable to solve Filip Gustavsson and the Minnesota Wild, despite 39 shots on goal, in a 1-0 loss on Wednesday night at KeyBank Center.
Minnesota scored first nearly seven minutes into the game, taking advantage of an odd-man rush opportunity.
Kirill Kaprizov used a one-timer on a pass from Joel Eriksson-Ek to score his 14th goal of the season. The goal came off a 4-on-1 chance, with Matt Boldy receiving the secondary assists on the play.
Buffalo had a pair of power play chances, but failed to score in the opening 20 minutes. The Sabres outshot Minnesota, 16-4, in the first period as well.
Gustavsson made 16 saves, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was credited with three saves.
Neither team was able to score in the second period, with Minnesota maintaining their one-goal advantage. The Sabres were outshot, 11-9, by the Wild in the second period.
Each team was credited with 14 shots on goal in the third period, and again, the two goaltenders were able to keep the offenses from scoring.
Gustavsson made a total of 39 saves, while Luukkonen made 28 saves of his own in a losing.
The Sabres were credited with 87 total shot attempts on the evening.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: NONE
MIN: 6:55 - Kirill Kaprizov (14) (Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
MIN: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
MIN: NONE
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Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Filip Gustavsson - MIN
2.) Kirill Kaprizov - MIN
3.) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres remain home to welcome the Vancouver Canucks for their lone visit to KeyBank Center on Friday afternoon. The two teams drop the puck at 3 p.m. EST, with the Steve Foley Law Pregame Show beginning at 2 p.m. EST on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550.