BUFFALO, N.Y. (WGR/WBEN) - The Buffalo Sabres finished up their homestand with a 3-0 shutout loss to the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night at KeyBank Center. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen started for Buffalo and made 13 saves in the loss.
The first goal of the game came on a shorthanded opportunity for the Blues thanks to a Buffalo turnover. Mathieu Joseph was able to break in on Luukkonen and score his second goal of the season. It came while Cam Fowler was in the penalty box, giving St. Louis a 1-0 lead.
Buffalo had the only power play of the first period, but were unable to score. They trailed St. Louis by a goal after the first. The Sabres were credited with eight shots on goal, while the Blues had four shots in the first period.
Josh Dunner and Tyler Tucker fought early in the first period behind the play. Each player was assessed a five-minute fighting major. Those were the only other penalties of the period.
The Blues were able to double their lead less than three minutes into the second period on their first shot. Nick Bjugstad was able to shovel the puck into the net for his fourth goal of the year and extend St. Louis' advantage to 2-0 over the Sabres.
Buffalo was credited with nine shots on goal in the second period, giving the team a two period total of 18. Joel Hofer made 18 total saves through two periods.
The Blues momentarily increased their lead to three goals early in the third period. However, a video review determined that Jimmy Snuggerud kicked the puck into the net, negating the score and keeping it 2-0 St. Louis.
Justin Faulk was able to score an empty-net goal with just over a minute remaining in regulation to extend the lead to 3-0. Joseph picked up his second assist of the game for a point on all three Blues' goals. Hofer made 27 saves for his second career shutout against Buffalo.
Goal Summary
First Period
BUF: NONE
STL: 12:38 - Mathieu Joseph (2) SHG (unassisted)
Second Period
BUF: NONE
STL: 2:42 - Nick Bjugstad (4) (Justin Faulk, Mathieu Joseph)
Third Period
BUF: NONE
STL: 18:58 - Justin Faulk (3) ENG (Mathieu Joseph)
Three Stars of the Game
1. Joel Hofer - STL
2. Mathieu Joseph - STL
3. Nick Bjugstad - STL
What's Next
The Sabres will head out on the road for the first of four games out of town. Buffalo will travel to Raleigh, NC for a Saturday night face-off against the Carolina Hurricanes. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sportsradio 550. Pregame coverage begins at 6:00 p.m. with Brian Koziol.