For the first time since Jan. 9, 2020, the Buffalo Sabres and St. Louis Blues matched up for a hockey game. Unfortunately for the Sabres, their losing ways continued, as they dropped a hard-fought affair, 5-3, at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
The Sabres struck first blood, despite coming up short in the end. Dylan Cozens wasted no time when he opened the scoring just 85 seconds into the affair. The young forward jammed home a rebound as a play developed thanks to a Kyle Okposo keep-in when the Blues tried to exit their zone.
The Sabres' early lead did not last long, though. On a power play later in the frame, Blues forward Jordan Kyrou ripped a one-timer in behind Dustin Tokarski on a St. Louis power play.
Kyrou struck again with 5:37 left in the opening period. Defenseman Justin Faulk took a shot from the point that was re-directed in by Kyrou from the high slot.
The Sabres found the equalizer in the early goings of the middle stanza. Trailing 2-1, Rasmus Dahlin uncorked a shot from the point and this time a deflection favored the blue and gold. Kyle Okposo got a stick on Dahlin's shot and tipped it past Blues goalie Ville Husso.
It was Okposo's lucky 13th goal of the season.
The back-and-forth affair took another turn in the final minute of the second period. Blues forward Brandon Saad skated in on Tokarski and a forehand deke had Tokarski dead to rights. Fortunately for Tokarski, he was able to make an amazing save, down and out, with with his skate blade in the air.
Unfortunately for Tokarski, was the rebound that defenseman Jake Walman pounced on.
The game was knotted back up on a third period powerplay by a former St. Louis Blue-turned-upstart Sabres forward.
Off a pass from Peyton Krebs, Tage Thompson wired this wrist-shot past Husso to make it a 3-3 contest.
It was Thompson's team-leading 21st goal of the campaign.
The tie score didn't even last two minutes, though. A broken play resulted in a two-on-one for Kyrou and Colton Parayko. Kyrou fed Parayko, and the defenseman made no mistake beating Tokarski for what would end up being the game-winning goal for St. Louis.
Blues forward Brayden Schenn added an empty-net goal for good measure as he put a bow on the eventual final in Enterprise Center; 5-3 home side.
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Jordan Kyrou - STL
2.) Colton Parayko - STL
3.) Jake Walman - STL
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What's Next:
The Sabres' road trip continues in the Lone Star State, as the Sabres visit the Dallas Stars on Sunday. Puck drop at American Airlines Center is set for 2 p.m. EST with pregame coverage on WGR starting at 1 p.m. EST with Brian Koziol.
