Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 21 saves, including five in the third period, to help the Buffalo Sabres defeat the New Jersey Devils, 4-3, on Sunday afternoon at KeyBank Center.
The Sabres scored first once again, this time, it was Tage Thompson taking advantage of a rebound chance as he cut through the slot. Jake Allen had trouble handling Owen Power's initial shot that led to the scoring chance.
Power and Bowen Byram were credited with the assists on the goal that gave Buffalo a 1-0 lead midway through the period.
Thompson helped create Buffalo's second goal of the game, setting up JJ Peterka at the top of the crease. Peterka kicked the puck to his stick, and slammed home his 15th goal of the season.
Thompson and Western New York native Dennis Gilbert received the assists on the goal. For Gilbert, the point comes in his 100th career NHL game.
Ryan McLeod extended the Sabres' lead to 3-0 with a shorthanded goal late in the first period. McLeod and Alex Tuch combined for an odd-man rush that allowed the forward to slide the puck past Jake Allen on a breakaway.
The special teams goal was scored while Byram was in the penalty box for hooking.
Buffalo outshot the Devils, 12-9, in the opening period, despite failing to have a power play chance.
New Jersey was able to trim their deficit to two goals with a score early in the second period.
A goal was not initially awarded on a scramble in the crease, but after a review from the referees and with help of the NHL in Toronto, it was determined the puck crossed the goal line.
Paul Cotter was credited with the goal that made it 3-1, Buffalo.
Jason Zucker was in the right spot in front of the net, and received a pass from Thompson that restored Buffalo's three-goal advantage. The goal came at even strength after Rasmus Dahlin created the chance in the offensive zone.
Thompson and Dahlin each picked up their second assists of the game on Zucker's goal that gave the Sabres a 4-1 lead. It was also the third point of the game for Thompson.
The Devils were able to score two goals early in the third period to pull within one, 4-3.
Paul Cotter scored just 18 seconds into the third, his second goal of the game, to trim the deficit to two.
A short while later, Jack Hughes added his 21st goal of the year after Jesper Bratt helped setup the chance. Hughes' goal came shorthanded after Stefan Noesen was assessed a match penalty for an illegal check to the head of Thompson just inside the New Jersey zone.
The Sabres failed to score on their five-minute power play, as it did not yield any scoring opportunities either.
However, Luukkonen and the Sabres were able to withstand a late push from New Jersey that included several chances with the goaltender pulled in favor of an extra attacker.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 8:11 - Tage Thompson (26) (Owen Power, Bowen Byram); 15:50 - JJ Peterka (15) (Tage Thompson, Dennis Gilbert); 19:31 - Ryan McLeod (12) SHG (Alex Tuch, Rasmus Dahlin)
NJD: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 17:25 - Jason Zucker (18) (Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin)
NJD: 4:38 - Paul Cotter (11) (Dougie Hamilton)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
NJD: 0:18 - Paul Cotter (12) (Brett Pesce); 5:32 - Jack Hughes (21) SHG (Unassisted)
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Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Tage Thompson - BUF
2.) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - BUF
3.) Rasmus Dahlin - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres' four-game homestand will come to a close on Tuesday night when the team hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets. The puck drops at 7 p.m. on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. Pregame coverage with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog begins at 6 p.m.