Sabres' scoring dries up in loss to Flyers

Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR) - Playing their lone home game over a 22-day stretch, the Buffalo Sabres failed to find their scoring touch in a 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night at KeyBank Center.

With nearly five minutes remaining in the opening period of play, Flyers forward Cole Knuble - son of longtime Flyers forward Mike Knuble - scored his first NHL goal off a rebound in front of the Buffalo net to put Philadelphia ahead, 1-0.

The Flyers took advantage of a power play opportunity before the end of the first period and extended the lead to a pair. It was forward Trevor Zegras going to the net and batting in a rebound out of the air past Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

Despite falling behind by a pair early, the Sabres were able to throw 16 shots on goal to Philadelphia's nine shots. But it was the road team that got the stellar goaltending from Dan Vladar in the crease.

Special teams played a huge part in Buffalo's favor in the second period, as they killed off a 5-on-3 late in the second period. Already down a man, Buffalo was forced to play two-men down after a questionable high-sticking call against defenseman Owen Power.

After killing off the two penalties, Buffalo immediately drew a penalty of their own and made sure to capitalize.

In his first game played this season, winger Jason Zucker was parked right next to the Flyers net, where Jack Quinn found him to help Buffalo get on the board with the man advantage. Zucker's first goal of the year made it a 2-1 game after 40 minutes.

Through the first two periods, the Sabres continued to play as the better team, outshooting the Flyers, 23-19, along the way.

Despite the third period having been Buffalo's best period all season, this game did not have the same magic.

Just 3:03 into the final frame, Knuble scored his second of the night to give Philadelphia its two-goal lead back again.

From there, the Flyers kept the puck out of harm's way, only allowing the Sabres five more shots on goal. They were able to cruise to a 3-1 win, and snap Buffalo's four-game point streak.

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SCORING RECAP

First Period:
BUF: NONE
PHI: 14:49 - Cole Knuble (1) (Oliver Bonk, Denver Barkey); 19:17 - Trevor Zegras (3) PPG (Matvei Michkov, Jamie Drysdale)

Second Period:
BUF: 19:25 - Jason Zucker (1) PPG (Jack Quinn, Noah Östlund)
PHI: NONE

Third Period:
BUF: NONE
PHI: 3:03 - Cole Knuble (2) (Oliver Bonk)

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STATS OF THE GAME:

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Bluestar Three Stars of the Game:

1.) Cole Knuble - PHI
2.) Dan Vladar - PHI
3.) Jason Zucker - BUF

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What's next:

Buffalo will head to the nation's capital on Saturday for a matchup with former Sabres winger Alex Tuch and the Washington Capitals. Puck drop from Capital One Arena is set for 7 p.m., with pregame starting at 6 p.m. with Brian Koziol on the radio home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR.