Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550/WBEN) - The Buffalo Sabres made a valiant effort in the third period to come back from a 4-1 deficit, but ended up coming short in a 5-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night at KeyBank Center.
Detroit jumped out to an early 1-0 lead thanks to a goal less than four minutes into the game. Dylan Larkin was able to record his ninth goal of the season, beating Eric Comrie with a shot.
Once again, the Sabres found themselves trailing their opponent early in a contest.
The deficit doubled later in the first with another goal by the Red Wings. Robby Fabbri was able to gain positioning in front of the Buffalo net and chip a loose puck into the goal. Fabbri's eighth goal of the season extended Detroit's lead to 2-0.
The Sabres recorded 10 shots on goal in the opening period, but goalie Alex Lyon was able to stop all 10 shots faced. Buffalo also had a pair of power play chances in the first 20 minutes, but were unable to capitalize.
An early second period power play chance ballooned Detroit's lead to three goals early in the second period.
Defenseman Moritz Seider scored with a wrist shot from the blue line for his fourth goal of the year. The tally came with Sabres winger Jeff Skinner in the penalty box for tripping, putting the Sabres behind 3-0.
The deficit was, again, extended to four later in the second when Michael Rasmussen scored on a breakaway after sneaking behind the Sabres defense.
However, a late power play chance was converted by the Sabres to get Buffalo on the board.
After an offensive zone faceoff win, Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin was able to cut the deficit to 4-1 before the end of the second period with a slap shot from the point. Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens assisted on the special teams goal.
Buffalo was able to get the next goal nearly midway through the third period.
JJ Peterka was able to keep the puck in the offensive zone for Jeff Skinner, who eventually fed Casey Mittelstadt for the goal. It came nearly nine minutes into the third to cut the deficit to 4-2.
Just over three minutes later, Skinner added his own goal for his second point of the night thanks to a power play score. His 11th goal of the season brought the Sabres to within a goal, 4-3, midway through the third period.
With the Sabres granted a late power play opportunity to tie the game, the Red Wings were able to hold Buffalo off the scoreboard, eventually putting the game away with an empty-net, shorthanded goal from Larkin for his second tally of the game.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: NONE
DET: 3:40 - Dylan Larkin (9) (Lucas Raymond), 8:25 - Robby Fabbri (8)
(Andrew Copp, David Perron)
Second Period:
BUF: 18:57 - Rasmus Dahlin (6) PPG (Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens)
DET: 5:43 - Moritz Seider (4) PPG (Robby Fabbri, Alex DeBrincat), 13:55 -
Michael Rasmussen (3) (Shayne Gostisbehere, Jeff Petry)
Third Period:
BUF: 8:20 - Casey Mittelstadt (6) (Jeff Skinner, JJ Peterka), 11:37 - Jeff Skinner (11) PPG (Unassisted)
DET: 19:14 - Dylan Larkin (10) SHG, EN (Michael Rasmussen)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Robby Fabbri - DET
2.) Dylan Larkin - DET
3.) Jeff Skinner - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres head back on the road to take on the Boston Bruins on Thursday night at TD Garden. The two teams are scheduled to drop the puck at 7 p.m. EST on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550.
Pregame coverage with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog begins at 6 o'clock.