Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Sabres were unable to preserve a two-goal lead after the first period, losing 6-2 to the Seattle Kraken on Saturday afternoon at KeyBank Center.
The Sabres scored first thanks to a shot from Sam Lafferty toward the net that was deflected off the stick of Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn. Dunn stuck his stick out, causing the puck to flutter past goalie Joey Daccord and into the net.
Peyton Krebs and JJ Peterka assisted on the game's first goal that allowed the Sabres to enioy a 1-0 lead.
Buffalo doubled its lead to 2-0 thanks to a goal on their first power play attempt of the game. Jack Quinn used a one-timer off a pass from Rasmus Dahlin to record a goal for the second-straight game.
Dahlin and Peterka were credited with the assists on the special team's goal.
Buffalo outshot the Kraken, 15-7, in the opening period. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was able to stop all seven chances to preserve the two-goal lead for the Sabres through 20 minutes.
The Kraken used a fortuitous bounce off the shin guard of Jason Zucker to get on the scoreboard, and trim their deficit to a goal late in the second period. Ryker Evans took the shot that managed to squeak through Luukkonen just between the glove and the pad.
Seattle was able to tie the game at 2-2 before the end of the second period. Andre Burakovsky was able to slip behind Buffalo's defense and score on a second chance opportunity. The forward's fourth goal of the season came with less than a minute remaining in the middle frame.
Two goals in less than 40 seconds allowed Seattle to open up a 4-2 lead against the Sabres early in the third period.
Oliver Bjorkstrand was credited with the go-ahead goal after a puck in the air hit Jacob Bryson, and the defenseman accidentallyswiped the puck into his own net.
Kappo Kakko then scored 38 seconds later on a rush off the wing to double the Kraken lead.
Kakko added his second goal of the period just under two minutes later on the power play. His ninth goal of the season extended Seattle's lead to 5-2, while Dahlin was in the penalty box for Buffalo serving a minor penalty for tripping.
Brandon Tanev scored an empty-net goal for the Kraken with just over three minutes remaining in regulation to cap the four-goal victory.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 2:37 - Sam Lafferty (2) (Peyton Krebs, JJ Peterka); 17:16 - Jack Quinn (8) PPG (Rasmus Dahlin, JJ Peterka)
SEA: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
SEA: 12:48 - Ryker Evans (5) (Chandler Stephenson); 19:12 - Andre Burakovsky (4) (Joshua Mahura, Chandler Stephenson)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
SEA: 3:08 - Oliver Bjorkstrand (12) (Unassisted); 3:46 - Kaapo Kakko (8) (Joshua Mahura, Jaden Schwartz); 5:26 - Kaapo Kakko (9) PPG (Jared McCann, Shane Wright); 16:25 - Brandon Tanev (8) (Jared McCann, Jamie Oleksiak)
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Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Kaapo Kakko - SEA
2.) Joey Daccord - SEA
3.) Joshua Mahura - SEA
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What's next:
The Sabres will have a few days before getting back to game action on Wednesday when they host the Carolina Hurricanes. Faceoff from KeyBank Center is set for 6 p.m. EST on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550.
The Steve Foley Law Pregame Show with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog begins at 5 p.m.