Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres thought they secured an overtime victory, but a video review forced the team to need a shootout to defeat the Edmonton Oilers, 3-2, on Saturday afternoon at KeyBank Center.
It took Edmonton 29 seconds to open the scoring and enjoy a 1-0 lead over Buffalo. Ryan McLeod was able to slip a shot past Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen at the goal post for his 11th goal of the season.
The opening goal of the game came on the first shot of the afternoon by either team.
A hooking penalty to Brett Kulak late in the opening period resulted in special teams goals by both teams.
Warren Foegele converted on a 2-on-0 breakaway chance for a shorthanded goal that extended Edmonton's lead to 2-0. McLeod helped lead the breakout and was credited with an assist.
However, a minute later, Tage Thompson was able to score on the power play to halve the Sabres deficit to 2-1. The forward was able to find a loose puck after the initial shot by Bowen Byram. Alex Tuch also had a chance at the puck before Thompson was able to chip it home.
Neither team was able to score in the second period, keeping the game 2-1 in Edmonton's favor heading to the third.
The Oilers had a pair of power play chances in the middle frame, but were unable to convert on either. Buffalo was outshot 14-6 in the second thanks to the special teams chances, but Luukkonen was able to stop all 14 shots faced.
Jacob Bryson was able to record his first goal of the season to tie the game at 2-2 midway through the third period. The defenseman's backhand shot was able to beat Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner, while Dylan Cozens provided a screen at the side of the crease.
The game went to overtime after each team failed to score another goal before the end of regulation. Edmonton ended the first three periods with a 31-22 shots on goal advantage.
The Sabres scored, what appeared to be, the game-winning goal with two seconds remaining in overtime when Owen Power used a wrist shot to beat Skinner. However, the play was automatically reviewed by the NHL while the teams left the ice, and it was eventually determined the play was offside with 20.1 seconds left on the game clock.
Buffalo had one more chance with time running down in overtime after the disallowed goal, but Cozens was stopped by Skinner to force a shootout.
In the shootout, Thompson opened the scoring for Buffalo in Round 1, while Leon Draisaitl tied things up for the Oilers in Round 2.
At the top of Round 3, Tuch scored to give Buffalo the advantage once again. Luukkonen then stopped Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the bottom of the third round of shooters to secure Buffalo the win on is 25th birthday.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 15:35 - Tage Thompson (19) PPG (Unassisted)
EDM: 0:29 - Ryan McLeod (11) (Leon Draisaitl, Warren Foegele); 14:19 - Warren Foegele (14) SHG (Ryan McLeod)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
EDM: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: 11:39 - Jacob Bryson (1) (Unassisted)
EDM: NONE
Overtime:
BUF: NONE
EDM: NONE
Shootout:
BUF: Tage Thompson - GOAL
EDM: Connor McDavid - Save
BUF: Owen Power - Save
EDM: Leon Draisaitl - GOAL
BUF: Alex Tuch - GOAL
EDM: Ryah Nugent-Hopkins - Save
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Losi & Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - BUF
2.) Tage Thompson - BUF
3.) Jacob Bryson - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres remain home for a Tuesday night contest against the Detroit Red Wings at KeyBank Center. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. ET on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550 - with pregame coverage starting at 6 p.m. ET with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog.