Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres got down two goals early on Saturday night at KeyBank Center, but came back to take the lead and hold on for a 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Tage Thompson scored the game-winning goal on a second period power play, while Rasmus Dahlin had a goal and an assist, earning the first star of the game in the win.
The Flyers jumped out to an early lead, scoring just 1:41 into the game. Forward Joel Farabee chipped in a puck past Sabres goalie Craig Anderson on a rebound chance. Then just over two minutes later, Owen Tippett made it a 2-0 Flyers lead.
Some feisty play started between both teams after the Flyers goals, as each squad took slashing and roughing penalties just minutes apart. Neither team was able to score with the man advantage, though.
After Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov headed off to the box for a hooking penalty early in the second, the Sabres took advantage. It was Peyton Krebs setting up Kyle Okposo for his 20th goal of the season, his highest total since the 2015-16 season when he was with the New York Islanders.
The Sabres tied it up midway through the second period on a delayed penalty, as Jeff Skinner made a beautiful play along the wall to find Dahlin alone at the other side of the net to make it 2-2.
Travis Konecny gave the Flyers the lead back again, as he broke in on goal and beat Anderson short-side along the post, making it 3-2, Philadelphia.
Just moments later, though, Vinnie Hinostroza tied it back up again at 3-3 with his 12th goal of the season.
Then two minutes after tying it, Thompson made it 4-3 in favor of Buffalo, roofing a power play goal over Flyers goalie Martin Jones to give the Sabres their first lead of the night.
The Sabres were tested in the third period, as they took three-straight penalties in the final 12 minutes of the game.
Despite the multiple power plays and the extra man after Jones left the net, the Flyers could not tie the game, and the Sabres held on for the victory.
----------
GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
PHI: 1:41 - Joel Farabee (17) (Bobby Brink, Keith Yandle); 3:55 - Owen Tippett (9) (Unassisted)
Second Period:
BUF: 3:17 - Kyle Okposo (20) (Peyton Krebs, Henri Jokiharju); 8:27 - Rasmus Dahlin (11) (Jeff Skinner, Victor Olofsson); 15:36 - Vinnie Hinostroza (12) (Zemgus Girgensons, Casey Fitzgerald); 17:58 - Tage Thompson (34) (Casey Mittelstadt, Rasmus Dahlin)
PHI: 14:06 - Travis Konecny (14) (Noah Cates, Travis Sanheim)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
PHI: NONE
----------
Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 11:18 - Rasmus Dahlin (Slashing - 2 min.); 13:46 - Alex Tuch (Roughing - 2 min.)
PHI: 13:20 - Travis Konecny (Roughing - 2 min.); 13:46 - Travis Sanheim (Slashing - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
PHI: 1:41 - Ivan Provorov (Hooking - 2 min.); 17:07 - Noah Cates (Hooking - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 8:00 - Jeff Skinner (Tripping - 2 min.); 12:01 - Zemgus Girgensons (Holding - 2 min.); 14:49 - Tage Thompson (Tripping - 2 min.)
PHI: 4:00 - Kevin Hayes (Hooking - 2 min.)
----------
STATS OF THE GAME:
----------
Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Rasmus Dahlin - BUF
2.) Vinnie Hinostroza - BUF
3.) Kyle Okposo - BUF
----------
What's Next:
The same two teams get right back at for a late Sunday afternoon affair in Philadelphia. Faceoff on Easter Sunday is set for 5 p.m. ET.
Catch all of the action on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550 - starting with pregame coverage at 4 p.m. ET with Brian Koziol.
