Newark, N.J. (WGR 550) – The Buffalo Sabres and Devils played a seesaw game on Friday, but New Jersey prevailed in the end, 5-4.
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In the third period, Dylan Cozens took a shift with Zemgus Girgensons and Kyle Okposo. All three were hard on the forecheck, and Cozens scored a goal that Vitek Vanecek would want back.
That was all fine and good, but just 1:42 later, Erik Haula went to the net and tipped in his second goal of the game. The Sabres couldn’t overcome that tally with 5:43 to play.
Eric Comrie gave up two goals in 31 minutes of play before having to leave due to a lower-body injury.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made a big save from the slot on his first shot faced, but Haula redirected a pass by Cozens past Owen Power and walked in alone for a shorthanded goal.
Before Comrie left, Mattias Samuelsson turned the puck over, allowing Jesper Bratt in alone and he scored.
Buffalo got one breakaway goal from JJ Peterka, as he scored the game's opening goal.
Both Comrie and Luukkonen made some great saves, but they just have to get the big save at the big time, and they need to bail teammates out with those saves.
By the time they were done, Comrie made 16 saves on 18 shots, and Luukkonen made 18 saves on 21 shots faced.
After the game, Sabres head coach Don Granato felt they made their own mess with the turnovers that led to goals. He thought they had their chances, but did too much to help themselves lose.
I get so tired of watching horrendous officiating in the NHL and NFL.
The Devils put a puck over the glass that should’ve been a delay of game penalty. It was obvious, but four officials got together and decided it was OK. Granato rightfully lost his mind at the bench.
Just a few seconds later, there is a delay of game call on Luukkonen, and the NHL’s No. 1 power play converted.
Connor Clifton put a shoulder into the head of Nico Hischier and received a match penalty that will probably earn him a suspension. That means for the final two periods, the Sabres were down to five defensemen.
Rasmus Dahlin played 26:39, Power played 24:19, Samuelsson played 23:55 and Henri Jokiharju played 20:16.
After scoring two goals in Ottawa, Tage Thompson got another on Friday. Dahlin tallied his first goal of the season, giving him eight points in eight games.
Granato didn’t have any information on Comrie’s injury, so it’ll be interesting to see if Devon Levi will be ready to practice Saturday after missing four games.
Buffalo hosts the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday afternoon.
