The Buffalo Sabres' point streak ended at five games after a 6-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night at KeyBank Center.
It took the Sabres just 53 seconds to score the games first goal thanks to a one-time shot by Victor Olofsson. Henri Jokiharju made the pass to help create the goal that made it 1-0 Buffalo less than a minute into the game.
The lead was short lived thanks to a power play chance for New Jersey. Pavel Zacha's ninth goal of the season came with Cody Eakin in the penalty box. He would add his second power play goal of the game less than two minutes later to give the Devils a 2-1 lead early in the first.
Jack Hughes extended New Jersey's lead to 3-1 with a goal late in the opening period. The young forward nearly had the puck taken away in front of the net, but was able to gain control and beat Linus Ullmark in the top corner of the net.
Tage Thompson capitalized on the Sabres' second power play of the night to halve the team's deficit. Thompson's third goal of the season was also his first power play score of the year to bring Buffalo to 3-2 against New Jersey.
Jeff Skinner was able to take advantage of a loose puck at the side of the net and bury a rebound chance that tied the game at 3-3 late in the middle stanza.
The goal was assisted by Rasmus Dahlin, who reached a milestone with the point.
The Devils regained the lead on Jesper Boqvist's first goal of the season. The winger capitalized on a rebound attempt in front of the net, giving New Jersey a 4-3 lead over the Sabres.
Yegor Sharangovich extended the lead to 5-3 with his ninth goal of the season. The score came with less than two minutes to go in the game and helped seal the Devils' victory. Janne Kuokkanen also added an empty net goal to finish the victory.
Game Summary
Goal Summary
First Period
BUF: 0:53 - Victor Olofsson (Henri Jokiharju, Kyle Okposo)
NJD: 2:06 - Pavel Zacha (9) PPG (Ty Smith, Jesper Bratt)
3:47 - Pavel Zacha (10) PPG (Ty Smith, Jesper Bratt)
16:04 - Jack Hughes (8) (Janne Kuokkanen, Yegor Sharangovich)
Second Period
BUF: 11:56 - Tage Thompson (3) PPG (Brandon Montour, Colin Miller)
18:21 - Jeff Skinner (4) (Sam Reinhart, Rasmus Dahlin)
NJD: none
Third Period
BUF: none
NJD: 8:45 - Jesper Boqvist (1) (Michael McLeod)
18:17 - Yegor Sharangovich (9) (Jack Hughes, Janne Kuokkanen)
19:28 - Janne Kuokkanen (6) ENG (Yegor Sharangovich, Jack Hughes)
Penalty Summary
First Period
BUF: 1:30 - Cody Eakin (2 minutes, holding)
3:03 - Tage Thompson (2 minutes, holding)
NJD: 10:27 - Dmitry Kulikov (2 minutes, tripping)
Second Period
BUF: 15:37 - Steven Fogarty (2 minutes, high sticking)
NJD: 10:20 - Pavel Zacha (2 minutes, interference)
12:44 - Miles Wood (2 minutes, tripping)
Third Period
BUF: 14:14 - Rasmus Ristolainen (2 minutes, high sticking)
NJD: none
Losi and Gangi Three Stars
1. Pavel Zacha
2. Jack Hughes
3. Rasmus Dahlin
What's Next
The Sabres will welcome the Washington Capitals to KeyBank Center on Friday night before heading out on the road. The puck drops at 7 o'clock on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. Pregame coverage on the Paul William Beltz Pregame Show with the Bulldogstarts at 6 p.m.
