Tampa, Fla. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres were without one of their top defenseman on Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Rasmus Dahlin missed the Sabres' 5-3 loss due to an upper body injury.
Ilya Lyubushkin missed the last several games with a lower-body injury, but was able to take Dahlin's spot on the blue line with Jacob Bryson.
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Tampa Bay was able to score first and jump out to a 1-0 lead thanks to Nicholas Paul's fourth goal of the season. Victor Hedman and Brandon Hagel assisted on the goal that came nearly seven minutes into the opening period.
A bouncing puck found its way to the top of the crease in front of Lightning goalie Brian Elliott, and Zemgus Girgensons chipped the puck into the net to tie the game at 1-1 late in the first. The goal was Girgensons' third of the season after the puck escaped several Lightning players.
Buffalo was credited with six shots on goal in the opening period, while the Lightning recorded seven. The Sabres were unable to score on the only power play of the opening period.
Brayden Point put the Lightning back in front by a goal with a power play tally early in the second period, 2-1. Steven Stamkos setup the chance with a pass to the far goal post, where Point was able to tip the puck into an open net. The goal came with Dylan Cozens in the penalty box for tripping.
A power play goal for the Sabres minutes later tied the game, 2-2, midway through the period. Owen Power unleashed a shot from just inside the blue line that Casey Mittelstadt was able to deflect it into the net. Pat Maroon was in box for unsportsmanlike conduct on the goal.
The Sabres held their first lead of the game thanks to smooth passing in the offensive zone early in the third period. Alex Tuch fed Jeff Skinner, and the playmaker deked at the top of the crease to slide the puck into the net. Skinner's third goal of the season gave Buffalo a 3-2 lead.
Just over three minutes later, Hagel jammed home a second chance opportunity with Sabres goalie Eric Comrie down on the ice following a save on the first try. Hagel's second point of the game tied the score at 3-3 in the third period.
Nick Perbix's first career NHL goal came after the two teams traded rush chances at both ends. Skinner could not convert on his chance, and Tampa Bay broke out quickly. Perbix buried a one-time shot from the slot that gave the Lightning a 4-3 lead with just under five minutes remaining in regulation.
Nikita Kucherov scored an empty-net goal with under a minute to go in regulation to help secure the two-goal margin and the victory. The goal capped off three-straight goals for Tampa Bay after the Sabres briefly held a lead.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 16:24 - Zemgus Girgensons (3) (Owen Power, Tage Thompson)
TBL: 7:07 - Nicholas Paul (4) (Victor Hedman, Brandon Hagel)
Second Period:
BUF: 8:34 - Casey Mittelstadt (2) PPG (Owen Power, Kyle Okposo)
TBL: 5:05 - Brayden Point (6) PPG (Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov)
Third Period:
BUF: 4:25 - Jeff Skinner (3) (Alex Tuch, Dylan Cozens)
TBL: 7:40 - Brandon Hagel (4) (Nikita Kucherov); 15:05 - Nick Perbix (1) (Nikita Kucherov, Brandon Hagel); 19:02 - Nikita Kucherov (6) ENG (Brayden Point)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
TBL: 13:46 - Nikita Kucherov (Slashing - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 0:31 - Tage Thompson (Tripping - 2 min.); 4:05 - Dylan Cozens (Tripping - 2 min.)
TBL: 2:18 - Alex Killorn (Hooking - 2 min.); 7:19 - Patrick Maroon (Unsportsmanlike conduct - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
TBL: NONE
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Nick Perbix
2.) Brandon Hagel
3.) Nikita Kucherov
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What's Next
The Sabres will return to KeyBank Center to begin a three-game homestand on Tuesday night. Buffalo welcomes the Arizona Coyotes for their lone trip to town this regular season.
The Sabres will return to KeyBank Center to begin a three-game homestand on Tuesday night. Buffalo welcomes the Arizona Coyotes for their lone trip to town this regular season.
The teams will drop the puck at 7 p.m. ET on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. Pregame coverage with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog starts our coverage at 6 p.m. ET.
