Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Despite recording more than 40 shots on goal Friday afternoon, the Buffalo Sabres were shut out by Jake Allen and the New Jersey Devils, 5-0, at KeyBank Center.
Tage Thompson exacted some retribution on Stefan Noesen in the first period following a hit in the team's last meeting a season ago. Both players dropped the gloves off a faceoff and threw some punches, then sat in the box for five minutes.
New Jersey was able to score first just past the midway point of the first period.
Devils captain Nico Hischier was at the top of the crease when a bouncing puck landed at his feet. He was able to slide the puck past Alex Lyon for his ninth goal of the season that gave New Jersey a 1-0 lead.
The Sabres were credited with 10 shots on goal in the first period, with Devils goalie Jake Allen stopping all of Buffalo's chances. Lyon made eight saves on the nine shots faced.
New Jersey was able to double its lead to two goals early in the second period.
Arseny Gritsyuk was left alone in the slot and received a pass before beating Lyon for his fifth goal of the season. The score came nearly eight minutes into the second period that extended the lead to 2-0.
Brenden Dillon helped New Jersey convert on an offensive zone turnover to make it a three-goal game less than two minutes into the third period. The Devils defenseman scored his third goal of the season, as winger Connor Brown helped create the chance from just inside the blue line.
Devils winger Paul Cotter was able to get behind the Sabres defense and receive a pass from Brown right at the Buffalo blue line. He was able to convert on his breakaway chance with a backhand that beat Lyon nearly four minutes after Dillon's goal.
Gristyuk added his second of the night late in the third period, as he cut to the front of the Buffalo net and made it 5-0 in favor of New Jersey.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: NONE
NJD: 12:07 - Nico Hischier (9) (Timo Meier)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
NJD: 7:45 - Arseny Gristyuk (5) (Ondrej Palat, Dawson Mercer)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
NJD: 1:39 - Brenden Dillon (3) (Connor Brown, Paul Cotter); 5:22 - Paul Cotter (2) (Connor Brown, Brenden Dillon); 16:49 - Arseny Gristyuk (6) (Ondrej Palat)
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Blue Star Home Services Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Jake Allen - NJD
2.) Arseny Gritsyuk - NJD
3.) Paul Cotter - NJD
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What's next:
The Sabres will be right back in action on Saturday when they head back on the road to face the Minnesota Wild. The puck drops just after 8 p.m. from the Grand Casino Arena on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. Pregame coverage with Brian Koziol starts at 7 p.m.