Edmonton, Alta. (WGR 550/WBEN) - The Buffalo Sabres opened their first road trip of the 2022-23 season with a 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night at Rogers Place.
The Sabres opened the scoring with their first special teams goal of the season.
Casey Mittelstadt won an offensive zone faceoff with Buffalo on a 4-on-3 power play opportunity. Rasmus Dahlin was able to wire a wrist shot past goalie Stuart Skinner to give Buffalo a 1-0 lead. Mittelstadt was credited with the lone assist on the game's first goal.
Just 23 seconds later, Edmonton answered to tie the game at 1-1. Darnell Nurse converted an odd-man chance thanks to a pass from Leon Draisaitl. He and Cody Ceci received the assists on the goal.
Edmonton was credited with 15 shots on goal in the opening period, with Sabres goalie Eric Comrie making 14 saves. Buffalo converted on their only power play chance in the period, while the Oilers did not score on either of their two chances.
Tage Thompson scored his first goal of the season to put Buffalo back in front by a goal early in the second period. Thompson weaved his way to the front of the net and beat Skinner with a shot just 44 seconds into the middle period. Jeff Skinner was awarded the only assist on the even strength goal.
The lead doubled to two thanks to a breakaway chance by JJ Peterka just minutes later. Vinnie Hinostroza made the pass that helped the rookie skate in all alone and make the score 3-1, Buffalo.
The Sabres recorded just four shots on goal in the third period, while Edmonton tried to even the score before the end of regulation.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins tallied his first goal of the season with just over a minute-and-a-half remaining in the game with Skinner pulled in favor of an extra skater.
Despite the Oilers putting up 48 shots on goal, Comrie shut the door on Edmonton with 46 saves to help cement a victory for the Sabres.
Alex Tuch official put the game on ice with less than five seconds remaining on the clock with an empty-net goal for his second goal of the season.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 4:00 - Rasmus Dahlin (3) PPG (Casey Mittelstadt)
EDM: 4:23 - Darnell Nurse (2) (Leon Draisaitl, Cody Ceci)
Second Period:
BUF: 0:44 - Tage Thompson (1) (Jeff Skinner); 5:15 - JJ Peterka (2) (Vinnie Hinostroza)
EDM: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: 19:55 - Alex Tuch (2) ENG (Dylan Cozens)
EDM: 18:27 - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (1) (Connor McDavid)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 3:38 - Jeff Skinner (Unsportsmanlike conduct - 2 min.); 5:40 - Peyton Krebs (Roughing - 2 min.); 16:28 - Tage Thompson (Tripping - 2 min.)
EDM: 3:38 - Brett Kulak (Unsportsmanlike conduct - 2 min.); 3:55 - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Slashing - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 2:20 - Ilya Lyubushkin (Roughing - 2 min.); 8:08 - Henri Jokiharju (Holding the stick - 2 min.)
EDM: 2:20 - Warren Foegele (Roughing - 4 min.); 15:59 - Ryan McLeod (Hooking - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
EDM: 12:35 - Darnell Nurse (Slashing - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Eric Comrie - BUF
2.) Rasmus Dahlin - BUF
3.) Darnell Nurse - EDM
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What's next:
The Sabres will continue their road trip in Calgary on Thursday night to face the Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Faceoff is set for 9:30 p.m. ET with pregame coverage on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550 - beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET with Brian Koziol.
