Dallas, Texas (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres needed, at least, a point on Tuesday night against the Dallas Stars to keep its slim playoff hopes alive in the Eastern Conference Wild Card chase.
However, the Sabres were unable to get the job done in Dallas, as they were on the wrong end of a 3-2 regulation final at American Airlines Center. The loss officially secured Buffalo's 13th-straight season of hockey without a playoff berth.
The Sabres broke the ice first just over four minutes into the contest. A blast by Henri Jokiharju was tipped in front of goalie Jake Oettinger by Alex Tuch for the forward's 21st goal of the 2023-24 season.
Buffalo's lead only lasted two minutes, though, as Dallas superstar Jason Robertson came up with a nifty tip at the left of Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to even the score at 1-1.
Later on, it appeared Stars forward Mason Marchment gave Dallas its first lead of the night, but the goal was taken away after a review determined it was scored thanks to a high-stick.
Rasmus Dahlin took the lead back for the Sabres later in the opening frame. His tally at the midway point of the period leaked through Oettinger and helped Dahlin reach a milestone not seen by a Sabres defenseman in over 30 years.
Dallas owned the only two goals of the middle stanza, and thus took its first lead of the night in the process.
First, it was forward Wyatt Johnston tying the game at 2-2 with a backhander past Luukkonen off a rebound in the slot.
A little more than three minutes later, veteran Joe Pavelski tipped home his 27th goal of the season to help the Stars take a 3-2 edge into the third period of play.
Pavelski's goal stood as the eventual game-winner, as neither side scored in the final 20 minutes.
Buffalo thought it had tied the score at one point, but another challenge prevented a goal. This time, it was Jack Quinn being denied a game-tying tally thanks to the puck being played by an earlier high-stick.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 4:09 - Alex Tuch (21) (Henri Jokiharju, Bowen Byram); 9:38 - Rasmus Dahlin (20) (Owen Power, Peyton Krebs)
DAL: 6:15 - Jason Robertson (28) (Roope Hintz)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
DAL: 3:38 - Wyatt Johnston (32) (Thomas Harley); 6:46 - Joe Pavelski (27) (Chris Tanev, Thomas Harley)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
DAL: NONE
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Losi & Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Joe Pavelski - DAL
2.) Thomas Harley - DAL
3.) Rasmus Dahlin - BUF
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What's Next:
The Sabres return to Buffalo for their final home game of the 2023-24 season on Thursday night against the Washington Capitals. Puck drop at KeyBank Center is set for 7 p.m. ET with pregame coverage on WGR starting at 6 p.m. ET with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog.