Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres scored three power play goals in the third period, on their way to six goals in the final frame to defeat the Los Angeles Kings, 6-0, on Tuesday night at KeyBank Center.
Buffalo was outshot by the Kings, 16-3, in the opening period of play. Sabres goalie Craig Anderson was able to stop all 16 Los Angeles shots on goal, including a handful on the only power play of the first frame.
Dylan Cozens was called for hooking with about 3:30 remaining in the first period.
The Sabres' best scoring chance came with Alex Tuch at the top of the crease, but was unable to score.
The game remained scoreless after 40 minutes, despite power play chances for both teams in the second period. Buffalo was credited with 12 shots on goal in the middle frame, thanks, in part, to three power play opportunities.
Anderson made 13 more saves in the second period, turning away all 29 Los Angeles shots on goal through a pair of periods.
Tage Thompson gave the game a goal with a power play tally less than two minutes into the third period. The forward's 22nd goal of the year came on a 5-on-3 advantage right off of a faceoff victory by Dylan Cozens to give Buffalo a 1-0 lead.
The Sabres added to the lead thanks to a pair of goals just 13 seconds apart. Victor Olofsson doubled the team's lead to 2-0 on a one-timer in tight off a pass from Rasmus Asplund.
On the next shift, JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn combined for a nice give-and-go in the offensive zone to increase the lead to 3-0.
Buffalo's lead ballooned to 4-0 late in the third period thanks to another power play goal. This time, Alex Tuch converted for his 14th goal of the season.
Thompson's second goal of the evening also came on the power play, as he fired one of his patented one-time shots past Kings goalie Pheonix Copley for his 23rd goal of the year.
Peyton Krebs added the exclamation point on the win with just over a minute to go in regulation for the sixth goal of the period, and a 6-0 lead.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
LAK: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
LAK: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: 1:21 - Tage Thompson (22) PPG (Dylan Cozens); 9:56 - Victor Olofsson (13) (Rasmus Asplund, Tyson Jost); 10:09 - JJ Peterka (7) (Jack Quinn, Dylan Cozens); 14:31 - Alex Tuch (14) PPG (Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens); 16:27 - Tage Thompson (23) PPG (Rasmus Dahlin, Alex Tuch); 18:33 - Peyton Krebs (3) (Victor Olofsson, Rasmus Asplund)
LAK: NONE
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 16:25 - Dylan Cozens (Hooking - 2 min.)
LAK: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 6:56 - Owen Power (Interference - 2 min.)
LAK: 8:10 - Gabriel Vilardi (Hooking - 2 min.); 16:30 - Carl Grundstrom (Hooking - 2 min.); 19:30 - Trevor Moore (Cross-checking - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 5:07 - Peyton Krebs (Cross-checking - 2 min.)
LAK: 1:19 - Carl Grundstrom (Slashing - 2 min.); 13:07 - Kevin Fiala (Tripping - 2 min.); 14:57 - Carl Grundstrom (Tripping - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Craig Anderson - BUF
2.) Tage Thompson - BUF
3.) Dylan Cozens - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres will head out on the road for a three-game Western road trip that begins on Thursday night in Colorado against the Stanley Cup champion Avalanche. Puck drop is set for 9 p.m. EST on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. Pregame coverage on WGR starts with Brian Koziol beginning at 8 p.m. EST.
