For the first time since Jan. 9, 2020, the Buffalo Sabres and St. Louis Blues matched up for a hockey game. Unfortunately for the Sabres, their losing ways continued, as they dropped a hard-fought affair, 5-3, at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
The Sabres struck first blood, despite coming up short in the end. Dylan Cozens wasted no time when he scored just 85 seconds into the game. The young forward jammed home a rebound as a play developed thanks to a Kyle Okposo keep-in when the Blues tried to exit their zone.
The Sabres' early lead did not last long, though. On a power play later in the frame, Blues forward Jordan Kyrou ripped a one-timer in behind Dustin Tokarski on a St. Louis power play.
Kyrou struck again with 5:37 left in the opening period. Defenseman Justin Faulk took a shot from the point that was re-directed in by Kyrou from the high slot.
The Sabres found the equalizer in the early goings of the middle stanza. Trailing 2-1, Rasmus Dahlin uncorked a shot from the point, and this time a deflection favored the blue and gold. Kyle Okposo got a stick on Dahlin's shot and tipped it past Blues goalie Ville Husso.
It was Okposo's 13th goal of the season.
The back-and-forth affair took another turn in the final minute of the second period. Blues forward Brandon Saad skated in on Tokarski, and a forehand deke had Tokarski dead to rights. Fortunately for the Buffalo goalie, he was able to make an amazing save, down and out, with with his skate blade in the air.
Unfortunately, the rebound found the stick of defenseman Jake Walman, who pounced on it for his second goal of the year.
The game was knotted back up on a third period powerplay by Sabres forward, and former Blues prospect Tage Thompson. Off a nice pass from Peyton Krebs, Thompson wired a wrist-shot past Husso to make it a 3-3 contest.
It was Thompson's team-leading 21st goal of the season.
The tied score didn't even last two minutes, though.
After a broken play resulted in a 2-on-1 rush for the Blues. Kyrou fed defenseman Colton Parayko, and the defenseman made no mistake beating Tokarski. His sixth goal of the year would end up being the game-winning goal for St. Louis.
Blues forward Brayden Schenn added an empty-net goal for good measure, as he put a bow on the win for the home team.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 1:25 - Dylan Cozens (12) (Rasmus Asplund, Kyle Okposo)
STL: 7:06 - Jordan Kyrou (19) (David Perron, Justin Faulk); 14:23 - Jordan Kyrou (20) (Justin Faulk, Ivan Barbashev)
Second Period:
BUF: 3:27 - Kyle Okposo (13) (Rasmus Dahlin, Dylan Cozens)
STL: 19:25 - Jake Walman (2) (Brandon Saad, Ivan Barbashev)
Third Period:
BUF: 12:34 - Tage Thompson (21) PPG (Peyton Krebs, Alex Tuch)
STL: 13:57 - Colton Parayko (6) (Jordan Kyrou, Ivan Barbashev); 19:27 - Brayden Schenn (16) ENG (Ryan O'Reilly)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 5:57 - Rasmus Dahlin (Hooking - 2 min.); 10:33 - Tage Thompson (Hooking - 2 min.)
STL: 4:07 - Jake Walman (Tripping - 2 min.); 7:29 - David Perron (Illegal check to the head - 2 min.); 14:53 - Justin Faulk (Interference - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 0:46 - Rasmus Dahlin (Tripping - 2 min.); 8:42 - Jeff Skinner (Embellishment - 2 min.)
STL: 8:42 - Ivan Barbashev (Roughing - 2 min.); 17:22 - Justin Faulk (Tripping - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
STL: 11:43 - Klim Kostin (Hooking - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Jordan Kyrou - STL
2.) Colton Parayko - STL
3.) Jake Walman - STL
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What's Next:
The Sabres' road trip continues in the Lone Star State, as the Sabres visit the Dallas Stars on Sunday. Puck drop at American Airlines Center is set for 2 p.m. EST with pregame coverage on WGR starting at 1 p.m. EST with Brian Koziol.
