Sam Reinhart scored twice in the first period for the Buffalo Sabres, but it was not enough in the team's 5-4 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Center.
James van Riemsdyk scored less than two minutes into the game to give Philadelphia a 1-0 lead over the Sabres. Joel Farabee and Sean Couturier assisted on van Riemsdyk's 11th goal of the season for the early lead.
However, less than three minutes later, Reinhart scored his 10th goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1 in the first period.
Dylan Cozens and Taylor Hall were credited with the assists on the game-tying goal.
Cozens moved up to center Reinart and Hall for Tuesday's game due to Jack Eichel's upper-body injury. The goal snapped Buffalo's 185:44 scoreless streak against the Flyers, going back to the two games at the end of Feburary.
Buffalo continued to pressure the Flyers, and they were rewarded with a 2-1 lead nearly halfway through the first period. Riley Sheahan scored his third goal of the season on a second-chance opporuntity for the Sabres.
Eric Staal helped create the chance for Sheahan, and recorded an assist along with Victor Olofsson. Buffalo's goals came nearly five minutes apart in the period.
Reinhart capitalized again later in the first to extend the Sabres' lead to 3-1 over Philadelphia.
Hall also added his second point of the game with another assist, while Rasmus Dahlin received the secondary assist on the goal.
Kevin Hayes scored early in the second period to bring the Flyers to within a goal of Buffalo, 3-2. Scott Laughton made a cross-ice pass to Hayes as he cut to the net for an assist. Justin Braun also helped create the chance, and was rewarded with an assist as well.
Buffalo's lead was restored to two goals thanks to a shot by defenseman Brandon Montour that got through traffic and beat goalie Brian Elliott six minutes into the middle stanza.
Elliott replaced Carter Hart, who allowed three goals on nine Sabres shots in the first period.
Philadelphia was able to get to within a goal once again, thanks to Claude Giroux's fourth goal of the season. It came at even strength just as Montour was coming out of the penalty box after serving a hooking minor. Jakub Voracek and Ivan Provorov assisted on the goal that made it a 4-3 score, still in favor of Buffalo.
The Flyers took advantage of their fourth power play of the game to tie the score at 4-4 midway through the third period.
Jeff Skinner was in the penalty box for hooking when Shayne Gostisbehere connected on his fourth goal of the season. Couturier and Farabee were credited with the assists on the power play goal.
Neither team could score in the 3-on-3 overtime period, despite chances at both ends of the ice. The Sabres were credited with two shots on goal, while Philadelphia had three in the extra period.
The Flyers scored twice in the shootout thanks to Couturier and Nolan Patrick, while Elliott stopped both Dahlin and Casey Mittelstadt to help secure the come-from-behind win for Philadelphia.
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GAME SUMMARY
Goal Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 4:33 - Sam Reinhart (10) (Dylan Cozens, Taylor Hall); 9:39 - Riley Sheahan (3) (Eric Staal, Victor Olofsson); 16:39 - Sam Reinhart (11) (Taylor Hall, Rasmus Dahlin)
PHI: 1:56 - James van Riemsdyk (11) (Joel Farabee, Sean Couturier)
Second Period:
BUF: 6:20 - Brandon Montour (1) (Kyle Okposo, Tobias Rieder)
PHI: 2:58 - Kevin Hayes (9) (Scott Laughton, Justin Braun); 15:05 - Claude Giroux (4) (Jakub Voracek, Ivan Provorov)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
PHI: 14:14: Shayne Gostisbehere (4) PPG (Sean Couturier, Joel Farabee)
Overtime:
BUF: NONE
PHI: NONE
Shootout:
PHI: Sean Couturier - GOAL
BUF: Rasmus Dahlin - no goal
PHI: Nolan Patrick - GOAL
BUF: Casey Mittelstadt - no goal
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 19:02 - Cody Eakin (High sticking - 2 min.)
PHI: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 9:57 - Rasmus Ristolainen (High sticking - 2 min.); 13:00 - Brandon Montour (Hooking - 2 min.)
PHI: 6:35 - Kevin Hayes (Cross-checking - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 13:06 - Jeff Skinner (Hooking - 2 min.)
PHI: 17:36 - Jakub Voracek (Tripping - 2 min.)
Overtime:
BUF: NONE
PHI: NONE
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1. Sean Couturier - PHI
2. Sam Reinhart - BUF
3. Claude Giroux - PHI
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What's Next:
The Sabres return home from the road to welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins to KeyBank Center for a 7 p.m. EST puck drop on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. The Paul William Beltz Pregame Show starts at 6 p.m. EST with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog.