Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres finally won a third-straight game this season after rallying late in the third period, and then scoring the only shootout goal for a 3-2 shootout victory against the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday evening at KeyBank Center.
Carolina struck first less than three minutes into the game for a 1-0 lead.
Tony DeAngelo was able to move down from the blue line and score on a one-timer in the slot. The defenseman's third goal of the season was set up by Michael Bunting.
The Sabres failed to score in the opening period, despite recording eight shots on goal that were all stopped by Spencer Martin. Buffalo was also unable to take advantage of their lone power play chance.
Carolina was credited with 10 shots on goal in the first period, as well, with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen making nine saves.
A power play chance early in the second period helped the Sabres tie the game, 1-1, on Jeff Skinner's 19th goal of the season. The forward tipped a shot from the blue line that was initially stopped by Martin, but the puck was loose in the crease for Skinner to tap in.
The Hurricanes believed they had another go-ahead goal, this time late in the second period. However, the officials whistled the play dead due to a hand pass before the shot was recorded.
The score remained even at 1-1 through 40 minutes of play, with the Sabres outshooting the Hurricanes in the second period, 12-7.
A pair of Rasmus Dahlin penalties in the third period gave Carolina two power play opportunities, and they eventually cashed in on their opportunity.
While on their second man advantage with Dahlin in the box, Martin Necas used a one-time shot from the left wing faceoff dot to give the Hurricanes a 2-1 lead with about six minutes remaining in regulation.
However, Owen Power was able to capitalize on a scoring chance at the other end of the ice just over a minute later to even the game, 2-2. The goal came in the defenseman's first game back from injury, and was set up by a pass from Peyton Krebs.
The two teams went to overtime tied at 2-2, but neither side was unable to score in the 3-on-3, five-minute overtime period, despite chances at both ends of the ice.
It took until the fourth round of the shootout for either side to score.
It was Casey Mittelstadt finally able to find the back of the net for Buffalo, as he put a shot past the blocker side of Martin in Round 4.
Then with a chance to seal the victory, Luukkonen came up with a huge stop on Necas in the bottom half of the fourth round to secure a third-straight win.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: NONE
CAR: 2:40 - Tony DeAngelo (3) (Michael Bunting, Martin Necas)
Second Period:
BUF: 6:27 - Jeff Skinner (19) PPG (Dylan Cozens, Kyle Okposo)
CAR: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: 15:55 - Owen Power (3) (Peyton Krebs, Zach Benson)
CAR: 14:42 - Martin Necas (18) PPG (Brady Skeji, Teuvo Teravainen)
Overtime:
BUF: NONE
CAR: NONE
Shootout:
BUF: Tage Thompson - Save
CAR: Sebastain Aho - Save
BUF: Owen Power - Save
CAR: Andrei Svechnikov - Save
BUF: Alex Tuch - Save
CAR: Teuvo Teravainen - Save
BUF: Casey Mittelstadt - GOAL
CAR: Martin Necas - Save
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Losi & Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Casey Mittelstadt - BUF
2.) Owen Power - BUF
3.) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres will travel to Florida for a pair of games this upcoming week. First up is a meeting with the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. EST from Sunrise. The game is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN+ and Hulu, meaning the only place to hear Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray is the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550.