Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres struggled to create any offensive chances early on Thursday night, and were defeated by the Dallas Stars, 10-4, at KeyBank Center.
Buffalo had an early power play chance when Roope Hintz was called for high-sticking just 24 seconds into the game. However, the Sabres failed to capitalize on the early chance.
Wyatt Johnston was able to tip a Jani Hakanpaa shot from the point and give the Stars a 1-0 lead midway through the opening period. His 16th goal of the season was created by a turnover in the Buffalo zone.
Eric Comrie helped keep the Sabres deficit at a goal thanks to a big save late in the first frame. The Buffalo net minder was able to stop a breakaway chance by Max Domi after the forward created a turnover in the neutral zone.
However, Joe Pavelski was able to take advantage of a power play chance to extend the Stars lead to 2-0 with less than a minute remaining in the first. Just 17 seconds later Jamie Benn added his 27th goal of the year to balloon the lead to 3-0.
Jordan Greenway was able to get a goal back with under 30 seconds left in the opening period. The forward was able to convert on a Jeff Skinner pass that brings Buffalo within two goals, 3-1, before the end of the first frame.
Each team scored midway through the second period. Joel Kiviranta's tip at the top of the crease extended Dallas' lead back to three goals, 4-1. Just over a minute later Kyle Okposo answered for Buffalo to bring the team back within a pair. Okposo's ninth goal of the season was set up by JJ Peterka to make the score 4-2 in favor of Dallas.
Ryan Suter was credited with his second goal of the season moments later to extend the lead back to three for Dallas. The puck was tipped several times before the defenseman was credited with the goal that made the score 5-2 in favor of the Stars.
A face-off win in the offensive zone by Tage Thompson resulted in a goal less than four minutes into the third period to trim Buffalo's deficit to 5-3. Thompson was credited with the lone assist on Skinner's 28th goal of the campaign.
A pair of goals less than 30 seconds apart paced Dallas to a four-goal lead part way through the third period. Evgenii Dadanov's goal was followed up by Radek Faksa's ninth of the season as well. The two goals extended the Stars lead to 7-3 over Buffalo.
Two more goals quickly helped Dallas open up a 9-3 lead over the Sabres in the final period. Faksa scored his second goal of the game, while Hintz's 31st goal of the season extended the lead to six goals.
Victor Olofsson stopped his scoreless streak with his 24th goal of the season a few minutes later. It was the forward's first goal in 16 games.
Mason Marchment added his 11th goal of the season with less than four minutes remaining in regulation to give the Stars double-digits in the goal department.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 19:35 - Jordan Greenway (3) (Jeff Skinner, Tage Thompson)
DAL: Wyatt Johnston (16) (Jani Hakanpaa, Evgenii Dadanov); 19:07 - Joe Pavelski (16) PPG (Jason Robertson, Jamie Benn); 19:24 - Jamie Benn
(27) (Miro Heiskanen, Ryan Suter)
Second Period:
BUF: 9:51 - Kyle Okposo (9) (JJ Peterka, Ilya Lyubushkin)
DAL: 8:37 - Joel Kiviranta (7) (Jason Robertson, Joel Hanley); 10:36 - Ryan Suter (2) (Mason Marchment, Ty Dellandrea)
Third Period:
BUF: 3:49 - Jeff Skinner (28) (Tage Thompson); 12:31 - Victor Olofsson (24) (JJ Peterka, Peyton Krebs)
DAL: 9:12 - Evgenii Dadanov (6) (Jamie Benn, Jani Hakanpaa); 9:41 - Radek Faksa (9) (Max Domi, Joel Kiviranta); 11:38 - Radek Faksa (10) (Mason Marchment); 12:15 - Roope Hintz (31) (Jason Robertson, Joe Pavelski); 16:12 - Mason Marchment (11) (Miro Heiskanen, Colin Miller)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 9:18 - Owen Power (Hooking - 2 min.); 18:46 - Eric Comrie (Tripping - 2 min.)
DAL: 0:24 - Roope Hintz (High sticking - 2 min.); 14:05 - Roope Hintz
(Hooking - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 18:12 - Rasmus Dahlin (Hooking - 2 min.)
DAL: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
DAL: NONE
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Jamie Benn - DAL
2.) Jason Robertson - DAL
3.) Evgenii Dadanov - DAL
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What's next:
The Sabres remain home to welcome the New York Rangers to Downtown Buffalo for a 5 p.m. EST faceoff on Saturday. Catch all the action on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. Brian Koziol starts our coverage with the pregame show at 4 p.m. EST.
