Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - A disastrous first period for the Buffalo Sabres let the Ottawa Senators coast to a 6-2 victory on Wednesday night at KeyBank Center. Buffalo surrendered five goals in the opening 20 minutes, with Senators forward Shane Pinto leading the way with four points (1+3).
The Senators got on the Sabres early and often, scoring four times in the first 10 minutes of the game to chase Sabres netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
Artem Zub gave Ottawa the lead just 2:47 into the period as he put home a loose puck sitting in the crease behind Luukkonen off a shot from Jake Sanderson that was deflected by Mark Kastelic along the way.
Boris Katchouk then made it 2-0, Ottawa, just over two minutes later with a re-direction in front of Luukkonen off a shot from Parker Kelly.
Drake Batherson then netted his 26th goal of the season to give the Senators a 3-0 lead, as he managed to dance his way around the extended leg of Luukkonen with still 13:59 to go in the opening frame.
Jakob Chychrun then gave the Senators a 4-0 by stepping into a shot from the top of the left faceoff circle, concluding the early period scoring barrage in just 8:49 of game play.
After giving up four goals on nine shots faced, Luukkonen's night was over, as he gave way for Devon Levi to take over the Buffalo net.
The Senators managed to get one more past a Sabres netminder before the end of the period, as Brady Tkachuk tapped a puck through Levi with less than a minute remaining while both teams skated at 4-on-4.
Alex Tuch took an early tripping penalty to start the second period, but just moments after killing off the infraction, JJ Peterka got the Sabres on the board, ripping home a rebound off a point shot from Tuch.
Past the halfway point of the period, Connor Clifton helped inch the Sabres a bit closer with a wrist shot that evaded goalie Joonas Korpisalo to cut Buffalo's deficit to 5-2.
However, that's as close as Buffalo would get, as the Sabres failed to find another answer through the remainder of the game.
Even with Levi pulled from the net in desperation mode late, the Senators put the game away with 3:17 left to go, as Pinto netted a goal into an empty cage.
It was a tough night for Sabres forward Jack Quinn in his return from a lower-body injury. He skated in 15:41 of ice time and registered one shot on goal, to go along with a minus-3 rating.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: NONE
OTT: 2:37 - Artem Zub (4) (Mark Kastelic, Jake Sanderson); 4:56 - Boris Katchouk (6) (Parker Kelly, Mark Kastelic); 6:01 - Drake Batherson (26) (Brady Tkachuk, Shane Pinto); 8:49 - Jakob Chychrun (12) (Shane Pinto)
Second Period:
BUF: 2:54 - JJ Peterka (25) (Alex Tuch, Jacob Bryson); 13:07 - Connor Clifton (4) (Jacob Bryson)
OTT: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
OTT: 16:43 - Shane Pinto (8)(ENG) (Drake Batherson, Jakob Chychrun)
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Losi & Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Shane Pinto (OTT)
2.) Boris Katchouk (OTT)
3.) Joonas Korpisalo (OTT)
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What's next:
The Sabres' home stand continues on Friday night when the New Jersey Devils make the trek to KeyBank Center in Buffalo. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET with pregame coverage on WGR starting at 6 p.m. ET with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog.