Detroit, Mich. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - A second-consecutive lackluster performance dropped the Buffalo Sabres to 4-7-1 on the 2024-25 season.
Visiting the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night, the blue and gold let a 1-0 first period lead slip away en route to a 2-1 loss at Little Caesars Arena.
Alex Tuch and the Sabres opened the scoring 11:39 into the opening period on a penalty kill. Tuch was able to steal the puck in the neutral zone off the stick of Dylan Larkin, and scampered the other direction on a breakaway. He beat goalie Cam Talbot with his shot to make it 1-0, Buffalo, while shorthanded.
Detroit then evened the score about eight minutes into the second period.
While working on another power play opportunity, Patrick Kane was able to locate Larkin parked to the left of Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Larkin was able to make up for his earlier mistake by slotting the puck between Luukkonen's legs to make it 1-1.
The Red Wings' special teams barrage continued later in the frame after another penalty damned the Sabres.
This time, forward Alex DeBrincat reversed direction and dished the puck to Larkin to the right of Luukkonen. The Red Wings captain was able to wire his second of the night past Luukkonen to give Detroit its first lead of the night, 2-1.
That lead help up for Detroit, and it eventually resulted as the final score. The Red Wings hunkered down and kept the Sabres to the perimeter most of the third period to preserve the one-goal victory.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 11:39 - Alex Tuch (4) SHG (Unassisted)
DET: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
DET: 7:49 - Dylan Larkin (6) PPG (Patrick Kane); 14:38 - Dylan Larkin (7) PPG (Alex DeBrincat, Lucas Raymond)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
DET: NONE
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Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Dylan Larkin - DET
2.) Cam Talbot - DET
3.) Alex Tuch - BUF
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What's next:
The blue and gold return to Buffalo to host the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night at KeyBank Center. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m. EST with Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray on the call.