Sabres Defeat Lightning 8-7 In Highest-Scoring Game of Season
Rasmus Dahlin during a Buffalo Sabres Game. Photo Credit: Jenn G.
Written By Gina Anton
BUFFALO — The Buffalo Sabres defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 8-7 in a wild, back-and-forth contest Sunday at KeyBank Center, combining for the highest-scoring game of the NHL season.
Josh Doan scored twice, including the decisive power-play goal with 4:17 remaining in the third period, helping Buffalo extend its winning streak to seven games and move into first place in the Atlantic Division.
The young winger opened the scoring late in the first period with a power-play goal. Doan also delivered the winner in the closing minutes after Buffalo drew a late penalty during sustained offensive pressure.
Buffalo’s offense came from throughout the lineup. Jason Zucker and Alex Tuch each scored twice, while Rasmus Dahlin and Sam Carrick also found the net. Tage Thompson contributed four assists, and Bowen Byram added three helpers as the Sabres maintained consistent offensive pressure.
The game featured multiple momentum swings. Buffalo built an early 4-1 lead, but Tampa Bay responded with four straight goals, highlighted by two from Nikita Kucherov, to take the lead. Buffalo battled back, tying the game and reclaiming the lead, before Doan sealed the 8-7 victory with a late power-play goal.
“I think the group has got real tight, and it showed tonight,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “They answered every call, they were there at every play. … Just how hard we worked to get back in the game. There was no quit. The desire to finish this thing the right way, I thought every guy was on board.”
The game featured offense at an incredible pace, with Buffalo outshooting Tampa Bay 42-28. The Sabres capitalized on special teams, finishing 4-for-7 on the power play, while the Lightning went 2-for-6 with the man advantage. Both teams won half of their faceoffs at 50 percent, and the teams combined for around 100 penalty minutes in a hard-hitting Atlantic Division clash. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 21 saves to earn the win for Buffalo, while Jonas Johansson stopped 35 shots for Tampa Bay.
“This game was a huge step for us as a team,” Dahlin said. “Every guy in this room was a part of it and stepped up when we had to. I’m so proud of the guys, and this is just going to make us even better. We’re brothers in here. You could really see that, too.”
What’s Next
The Buffalo Sabres host the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday as they look to extend their winning streak.
The Tampa Bay Lightning return home to face the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.
