Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres were unable to overcome the Winnipeg Jets in a 4-2 loss at KeyBank Center on Thursday night to close out their four-game homestand.
Winnipeg was able to score first just over six minutes into the game for a 1-0 lead over the Sabres. Dylan Samberg used a screen in front of goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to record his second goal of the season.
The Sabres were credited with 12 shots on goal in the opening period with Connor Hellebuyck making 12 saves. Luukkonen made eight saves in the first period, as well.
Victor Olofsson took advantage of a screen by Tyson Jost in front of the net to wire a wrist shot by Hellebuyck to tie the game, 1-1, midway through the second period. The game-tying goal came just after a power play chance expired.
The Jets quickly answered with a go-ahead goal by defenseman Josh Morrissey with six minutes remaining in the middle stanza. He was able to use a Pierre-Luc Dubois screen at the top of the crease to create the scoring chance.
Jost was the beneficiary of an Olofsson pass in the slot to score his fourth goal of the season and tie the game at 2-2 less than three minutes into the third period. Rasmus Dahlin helped create the chance by bringing the puck into the offensive zone and making the first pass to Olofsson.
Winnipeg answered back again five minutes later when Kyle Connor was able to convert on a breakaway chance after a pass from Nikolaj Ehlers.
The Sabres had their best chance to tie the game midway through the period when they enjoyed a 4-on-3 power play chance. However, they were unable to secure another game-tying goal.
Instead, Karson Kuhlman doubled the Jets' lead to 4-2 with an empty net goal with less than a minute remaining in regulation.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
WPG: 6:35 - Dylan Samberg (2) (Nate Schmidt)
Second Period:
BUF: 12:02 - Victor Olofsson (16) (Casey Mittelstadt, Henri Jokiharju)
WPG: 14:11 - Josh Morrissey (8) (Nikolaj Ehlers, Dylan DeMelo)
Third Period:
BUF: 2:50 - Tyson Jost (4) (Victor Olofsson, Rasmus Dahlin)
WPG: 7:19 - Kyle Connor (21) (Nikolaj Ehlers); 19:17 - Karson Kuhlman (2)
(Kyle Connor, Brenden Dillon)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 11:36 - Kyle Okposo (High sticking - 2 min.)
WPG: 14:42 - Saku Maenalanen (High sticking - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 19:17 - Alex Tuch (Tripping - 2 min.)
WPG: 1:37 - Blake Wheeler (Tripping - 2 min.); 9:51 - Adam Lowry
(Elbowing - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 11:05 - Alex Tuch (Hooking - 2 min.)
WPG: 10:24 - Josh Morrissey (Slashing - 2 min.); 11:26 - Blake Wheeler
(Tripping - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Connor Hellebuyck - WPG
2.) Kyle Connor - WPG
3.) Victor Olofsson - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres head on the road on Saturday for their annual trip to Nashville to face the Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Faceoff is set for 8 p.m. EST with pregame coverage on WGR starting at 7 p.m. EST with Brian Koziol.
