Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Sabres scored four times in the opening period, but surrendered five-straight goals that allowed the Colorado Avalanche to win, 5-4, in regulation on Tuesday night at KeyBank Center.
The Sabres opened the scoring just over three minutes into the game thanks to a pair of players in front of the net. Tage Thompson was credited with his 12th goal of the year after finding the rebound off a Connor Clifton shot from the blue line hit the crossbar.
Colorado challenged for goaltender interference, but were unsuccessful, resulting in a power play for the Sabres. However, Buffalo failed to score on the ensuing man advantage.
Thompson scored his second goal of the night several minutes later that allowed Buffalo to enjoy a 2-0 advantage less than seven minutes into the first period. The center was able to slide the puck past Alexandar Georgiev after a pass from Jason Zucker in the offensive zone.
The Sabres extended the lead to 3-0 just 11 seconds later thanks to a cross-ice pass by Zach Benson that setup JJ Peterka for his eighth goal of the season. Benson and Dylan Cozens received the assists on the goal.
Beck Malenstyn added a goal with just over eight minutes remaining in the first period to chase Georgiev in favor of Scott Wedgewood.
Buffalo finished the period with 13 shots on goal, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen faced 10 shots from the Avalanche.
Colorado was able to score the first goal of the second period when Nathan MacKinnon beat Luukkonen from the slot. The Avalanche's alternate captain was able to gain space in the offensive zone and score his eighth goal of the year, as well as his 37th point to trim the deficit to 4-1.
The Avalanche outshot Buffalo, 15-12, in the second period, while both teams were credited with 24 shots through 40 minutes. Neither team had a power play chance in the period.
Colorado scored a pair of goals less than five minutes into the third period to narrow the Sabres' lead to 4-3 early in the period. Joel Kiviranta was able to convert a chance less than two minutes into the period, followed by a Logan O'Connor goal off of a rebound chance.
A Mikko Rantanen shot from the blue line found its way into the Buffalo net after being deflected in front by MacKinnon, and the game was suddenly tied at 4-4.
Artturi Lehkonen's fifth goal of the season came on a rebound chance at the top of the crease, allowing Colorado to come all the way back and take a 5-4 lead with 4:22 remaining in the third period. Calvin de Haan took the shot from the point that created the scoring chance.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 3:22 - Tage Thompson (12) (Connor Clifton, Alex Tuch); 6:39 - Tage Thompson (13) (Jason Zucker, Bowen Byram); 6:30 - JJ Peterka (8) (Zach Benson, Dylan Cozens); 11:49 - Beck Malenstyn (2) (Nicolas Aube-Kubel)
COL: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
COL: 2:24 - Nathan MacKinnon (8) (Unassisted)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
COL: 1:19 - Joel Kiviranta (5) (Calvin de Haan, Logan O'Connor); 4:30 - Logan O'Connor (3) (Samuel Girard); 7:39 - Nathan MacKinnon (9) (Mikko Rantanen, Devon Toews); 15:38 - Artturi Lehkonen (5) (Calvin de Haan, Nathan MacKinnon)
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Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Nathan MacKinnon - COL
2.) Mikko Rantanen - COL
3.) Scott Wedgewood - COL
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What's next:
The Sabres remain at home for the second game of their five-game homestand, welcoming the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night.
The Sabres and Jets are scheduled to drop the puck at 7 p.m. EST on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. The Steve Foley Law Pregame Show starts at 6 p.m. with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog.