The Ottawa Senators scored three unanswered goals to defeat the Buffalo Sabres, 3-1, on Thursday night at KeyBank Center.
It took Buffalo until their third power play of the opening period to break the scoreless tie. Kyle Okposo used a move when he was 1-on-1 against goalie Anton Forsberg to score his 11th goal of the season. Rasmus Asplund and Rasmus Dahlin assisted on the goal that made it 1-0 partway through the first.
Ottawa outshot Buffalo, 9-8, in the opening period, but failed to beat Craig Anderson. Buffalo's netminder stopped all nine shots from his former teammates.
Zach Sanford was able to score his eighth goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1 in the second period. Tyler Ennis made the pass that allowed Sanford to make a move that tied the score. The forward was able to beat a Sabres defenseman to get to the front of the net. Ennis and Artem Zub were credited with the assists.
Austin Watson was able to setup in front of the net and re-direct a Nick Holden shot into the net, giving the Senators a 2-1 lead midway through the third period. The Sabres did not have a shot on goal to that point of the period, either.
Brady Tkachuk added an empty-net goal with just seconds remaining in the third period to help secure the two-goal victory for Ottawa. The goal was the Senators captain's 16th of the season. Holden received the lone assist on the game's final goal.
Ottawa outshot Buffalo, 8-4, in the final period, with the Sabres' first shot of the frame coming with just minutes remaining in regulation. The Senators finished the game with 28 shots on goal, while the Sabres recorded 24.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 13:37 - Kyle Okposo (11) PPG (Rasmus Asplund, Rasmus Dahlin)
OTT: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
OTT: 16:04 - Zach Sanford (8) (Tyler Ennis, Artem Zub)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
OTT: 10:49 - Austin Watson (3) (Nick Holden, Dylan Gambrell); 19:43 - Brady Tkachuk (16) ENG (Nick Holden)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 2:57 - John Hayden (Instigator - 2 min. / Fighting - 5 min. / 10-minute misconduct)
OTT: 2:57 - Austin Watson (Fighting - 5 min.); 5:49 - Erik Brannstrom (High sticking - 2 min.); 9:49 - Dylan Gambrell (Slashing - 2 min.); 12:32 - Erik Brannstrom (Tripping - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 5:15 - Dylan Cozens (Holding - 2 min.)
OTT: 3:50 - Artem Zub (Hooking - 2 min.); 6:50 - Erik Brannstrom (Holding - 2 min.); 16:42 - Tyler Ennis (Interference - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
OTT: NONE
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Austin Watson - OTT
2.) Nick Holden - OTT
3.) Zach Sanford - OTT
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What's next:
The blue and gold will conclude their homestand with a Saturday afternoon matchup against the Colorado Avalanche. Puck drop is set for 1 p.m. EST on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. Pregame coverage starts at 12 p.m. EST with Pat Malacaro.
