The Buffalo Sabres dropped their second-consecutive game on the west coast, as the blue and gold found themselves on the wrong side of a 5-3 final against the Sharks on Tuesday night at SAP Center in San Jose.
The home team struck first blood, as Jonathan Dahlen was in the right place at the right time in front of the Buffalo net. The Sharks forward cashed in on a rebound and made it 1-0 San Jose just 7:25 into the contest.
The Sabres had an answer minutes later, though. The blue and gold capped off an impressive delayed penalty possession with a wicked goal from Jeff Skinner. It was Skinner's second goal of the season.
San Jose re-took the lead with 12:49 gone in the opening period. Buffalo was the victim of some friendly fire, as Sharks defenseman Nick Merkley's first career goal snuck its way past Craig Anderson after the puck hit the skate of Anders Bjork.
The Sabres' deficit grew to two goals with just over six minutes gone in the middle stanza. Off a turnover, Sharks forwards Rudolfs Balcers and Tomas Hertl teamed up for a nifty goal ripped home by Hertl past Anderson.
About seven minutes later, Buffalo crept back to within a goal again. Drake Caggiula skated in over the blue line before firing a blast past the glove hand of San Jose goalie James Reimer.
The game of "catch up" for the Sabres continued in the third period, as Buffalo played from behind the entire game, never able to string goals together against the Sharks. With 6:02 gone in the frame, defenseman Mario Ferraro applied the pressure on Buffalo, again, with a goal to make it 4-2.
Hertl would add another goal, his second of the night, later in the period to all but ensure victory for San Jose.
The Sabres chipped in one more goal off the stick of Skinner in the dying minutes, but it was too little, too late. It might not have affected the final outcome, but it certainly cool to see.
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GAME SUMMARY
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 8:48 - Jeff Skinner (2) (Vinnie Hinostroza, Robert Hagg)
SJS: 7:25 - Jonathan Dahlen (4) (William Eklund, Brent Burns); 12:49 - Ryan Merkley (1) (Alexander Barabanov, Tomas Hertl)
Second Period:
BUF: 13:33 - Drake Caggiula (2) (Vinnie Hinostroza, Dylan Cozens)
SJS: 6:13 - Tomas Hertl (4) (Rudolf Balcers)
Third Period:
BUF: 18:13 - Jeff Skinner (3) (Tage Thompson, Rasmus Asplund)
SJS: 6:02 - Mario Ferraro (1) (Ryan Merkley, Jasper Weatherby); 11:46 - Tomas Hertl (5) (Rudolf Balcers, Mario Ferraro)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 19:36 - Dylan Cozens (Hooking - 2 min.)
SJS: 19:00 - Jasper Weatherby (Tripping - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
SJS: 16:00 - Brent Burns (Closing hand on the puck - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 10:15 - Vinnie Hinostroza (Roughing - 2 min.)
SJS: 10:15 - Jasper Weatherby (Cross-checking - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Tomas Hertl - SJS
2.) Mario Ferraro - SJS
3.) Ryan Merkley - SJS
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What's Next:
The Sabres get their first look at the NHL's 32nd team, the Seattle Kraken on Thursday night at Climate Pledge Arena. Faceoff is set for 10 p.m. ET with pregame coverage starting at 9 p.m. ET with Brian Koziol on the radio home of the Sabres - WGR Sports Radio 550.
