Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550/WBEN) - Alex Tuch scored a hat-trick on Thursday night, while Alex Lyon made 37 saves to help lead the Buffalo Sabres to a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at KeyBank Center.
The Sabres used an early power play chance to score the game's first goal, and it came with a couple of lucky bounces.
It was Tuch who threw a puck toward the Kings net, and he ended up with his 20th goal of the year thanks to a fortunate bounce off two Los Angeles defensemen.
Tuch scored with Alex Malott in the penalty box for roughing. The power play goal was assisted by Ryan McLeod and Jack Quinn.
Mattias Samuelsson doubled the Sabres' lead to 2-0 thanks to his ninth goal of the season. It came off of an offensive zone faceoff victory by McLeod.
Samulesson's defensive partner Rasmus Dahlin made the pass along the blue line to also help create the goal. Dahlin and Quinn were credited with the assists.
Lyon made 12 saves in the first period, including three during a shorthanded opportunity late in the period.
Buffalo was credited with seven shots on goal in the opening frame.
Tuch was able to score his second goal of the night with a deflection in front of the Kings net on a shot that came from Bowen Byram at the blue line.
Zach Benson was also credited with an assist on the goal that came just over six minutes into the second period.
Los Angeles had an answer thanks to a power play goal just over a minute later to trim their deficit to 3-1. Adrian Kempe was able to tip a shot by Kevin Fiala past Lyon, while Dahlin was in the penalty box for slashing.
The Kings thought they had trimmed the deficit to a goal earlier in the period. However, the goal was disallowed after the officials discussed goaltender interference after Corey Perry ran into Lyon.
The final goal of the night came with just a minute remaining in regulation when Tuch was able to score on an empty net. Quinn and McLeod combined for the assists on the goal that put the game away.
It was the second-straight game a Sabres' player recorded a hat-trick after Dahlin scored three times on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Lyon also recorded his 10th-straight victory in goal for the Sabres, setting a new franchise record. He finished his night with 37 saves.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 7:14 - Alex Tuch (20) PPG (Ryan McLeod, Jack Quinn); 11:17 - Mattias Samuelsson (9) (Rasmus Dahlin, Jack Quinn)
LAK: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 6:29 - Alex Tuch (21) (Bowen Byram, Zach Benson)
LAK: 7:47 - Adrian Kempe (18) PPG (Kevin Fiala, Brandt Clarke)
Third Period:
BUF: 19:00 - Alex Tuch (22) ENG (Jack Quinn, Ryan McLeod)
LAK: NONE
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BlueStar Home Services Three Stars of the Game
1.) Alex Tuch - BUF
2.) Alex Lyon - BUF
3.) Jack Quinn - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres remain home for their third meeting in the last three weeks with the Montreal Canadiens. The puck drops just after 7 p.m. on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. Pregame coverage begins at 6 p.m. with Brian Koziol.