Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550/WBEN) - A second-period goal from Tage Thompson was the difference for the Buffalo Sabres in a 3-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night at KeyBank Center.
It came the same night the team honored the forward before the game for winning the gold medal in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
The Sabres were able to strike first after a bounce off the leg of former Sabres captain Jack Eichel deflected right to Jason Zucker. The forward was able to shovel the puck into an open net for a 1-0 Buffalo advantage.
Zucker's 16th goal of the season came off of a faceoff win by Ryan McLeod in the offensive zone. McLeod and Rasmus Dahlin were credited with assists on the game's first score.
The Golden Knights recorded seven shots on goal in the opening period, but Alex Lyon stopped all seven shots faced.
Vegas had an early power play chance after Buffalo's goal. Their best chance came when Braeden Bowman hit the post at the side of the net. He also hit the net later in a 2-on-1 chance with Eichel.
The Sabres were credited with 11 shots of their own in the first period. Buffalo did not have a power play chance in the opening 20 minutes.
Another fortunate bounce, this time off of Vegas defenseman Rasmus Andersson, helped double Buffalo's lead to 2-0 in the second period. Owen Power took the shot that resulted in his fifth goal of the season.
It was another offensive zone faceoff victory that led to the second goal, as Noah Ostlund won the draw and was credited with the only assist.
The lead ballooned to three goals, thanks to a perfect shot by Thompson that beat Akira Schmid in the top corner of the net. Alex Tuch made the pass that helped create the scoring chance for the Sabres' top scorer.
It was Thompson's 33rd goal of the year.
Vegas was able to score back-to-back goals less than two minutes apart to get to within one, 3-2, in the second period.
First, Ivan Barbashev was able to skate from behind the net and bank a shot off Lyon for Vegas' first goal.
Moments later, Pavel Dorofeyev scored on a breakaway to trim the Sabres lead to one, as his shot just squeaked through Lyon's five-hole.
Neither team was able to score in the third period, helping Buffalo preserve their one-goal lead for the victory.
Lyon faced eight shots in the third period and stopped all of them. He made 27 total saves on 29 shots on goal.
The Sabres were credited with 28 shots on Schmid.
Buffalo's lone power play of the game came in the third period thanks to a delay of game minor by Andersson. However, the Sabres were unable to capitalize on the special teams opportunity.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 4:02 - Jason Zucker (16) (Ryan McLeod, Rasmus Dahlin)
VGK: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 0:46 - Owen Power (5) (Noah Ostlund); 5:44 - Tage Thompson (33) (Alex Tuch, Rasmus Dahlin)
VGK: 6:50 - Ivan Barbashev (18) (Shea Theodore, Jack Eichel)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
VGK: NONE
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BlueStar Home Services Three Stars of the Game
1.) Tage Thompson - BUF
2.) Alex Lyon - BUF
3.) Rasmus Dahlin - BUF
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What's next:
One of Buffalo's few road games in the month of March is next up, as the Sabres travel to Pittsburgh for a 7 p.m. puck drop against the Penguins on Thursday night. You can hear all of the action on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. Pregame coverage starts at 6 p.m. with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog.