Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Tage Thompson scored twice, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 32 saves to help lead the Buffalo Sabres to a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night at KeyBank Center.
Thompson opened the scoring on a second chance opportunity with about six-and-a-half minutes left in the opening period. His 32nd goal of the year came after the forward made a move at the blue line to evade an Edmonton defender.
His initial shot was not handled by Oilers goalie Staurt Skinner, resulting in the rebound chance in front. Thompson's goal was officially unassisted.
The Sabres were outshot by Edmonton, 12-7, in the first period, with Luukkonen turning away all 11 Oilers shots on goal. This included a quality chance by Edmonton captain Connor McDavid early in the opening period.
Edmonton was able to tie the game, 1-1, less than two minutes into the second period. A shot from Darnell Nurse at the point hit a Sabres player just outside of the crease, resulting in the defenseman's fifth goal of the year.
However, Alex Tuch answered back just over two minutes later to restore Buffalo's one-goal lead. Tuch received a pass in the slot from former Oilers forward Ryan McLeod, and scored his 25th goal of the season.
A too many men on the ice penalty against the Sabres allowed Edmonton to tie the game again, this time at 2-2, midway through the middle period.
Evan Bouchard converted on his scoring chance for his 12th goal of the season. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl assisted on the game-tying goal.
Draisaitl was able to register assists on both Oilers second-period goals.
Josh Norris recorded his first point as a member of the Sabres after setting up Thompson for his second goal of the game.
Norris was able speed down the ice and apply pressure to the Oilers defender retreating for a puck. He then chipped the puck to Thompson, allowing him to drag the puck and get Skinner out of position for the go-ahead goal.
The go-ahead goal came less than four minutes into the third period to give Buffalo a 3-2 lead.
The Sabres were able to kill off a late power play chance for Edmonton after Mattias Samuelsson was called for hooking. Buffalo then killed off the remaining time left on the clock to secure a win and end a six-game winless skid.
Overall, Luukkonen was credited with 32 saves on 24 shots faced, including 12 in the third period.
----------
SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 13:28 - Tage Thompson (32) (Unassisted)
EDM: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 3:52 - Alex Tuch (25) (Ryan McLeod)
EDM: 1:35 - Darnell Nurse (5) (Troy Stetcher, Leon Draisaitl); 9:12 - Evan Bouchard (12) PPG (Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl)
Third Period:
BUF: 3:20 - Tage Thompson (33) (Josh Norris)
EDM: NONE
----------
----------
Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Tage Thompson
2.) Josh Norris
3.) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
----------
What's next:
The Sabres are on the road on Wednesday night, meeting the Detroit Red Wings for a 7:30 p.m. faceoff at Little Caesars Arena. Pregame coverage on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550 - begins at 6:30 p.m. with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog.
The game will be televised on TNT nationally, meaning the only place to hear Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray is on WGR.