Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres scored first and never trailed in their 5-4 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Friday night at KeyBank Center.
Jack Quinn's playmaking ability was on full display early to help give the Sabres a 1-0 lead. Quinn made a spinning pass from the boards right to the front of the net that found Dylan Cozens. It was the young forward's 28th goal of the year.
Less than a minute later, Tage Thompson doubled Buffalo's lead. The team's top goal scorer was able to get past a New Jersey defender and put a shot into the top of the net, beating Devils goalie Akira Schmid. It was Thompson's 44th goal of the season.
Cozens returned the favor to Quinn later in the period following a New Jersey goal to give the Sabres a 3-1 lead. Quinn received the pass cutting down the slot and buried his 14th goal of the campaign.
New Jersey was able to get back to within a goal thanks to a score with just over a minute remaining in the opening period. A puck sent to the front of the net hit a skate at the top of the crease. Kevin Bahl was credited with his second goal of the year.
Alex Tuch scored less than five minutes into the second period to double Buffalo's lead to 4-2. The goal was Tuch's 31st of the season, and was assisted by Jeff Skinner and Peyton Krebs.
Tuch's second goal of the night came on the power play to extend the Sabres' lead to 5-2. He was able to re-direct a pass by Rasmus Dahlin in the slot while Michael McLeod was in the penalty box for holding.
New Jersey thought they answered on the next shift when Jack Hughes scored. However, the Sabres successfully challenged for offside to wipe out the goal and hold onto their three-goal lead.
Hughes scored early in the third period to trim the New Jersey deficit to 5-3 just over five minutes into the frame. He would add his second goal minutes later on the power play to bring the visitors to within a goal, 5-4.
Despite a late push from the Devils to try and tie the game, Buffalo was able to shut things down to preserve the victory and snap a four-game losing skid.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 6:29 - Dylan Cozens (28) (Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka); 7:08 - Tage Thompson (44) (Alex Tuch); 10:55 - Jack Quinn (14) (Dylan Cozens, JJ Peterka)
NJD: 9:07 - Yegor Sharangovich (13) (Michael McLeod, Damon Severson); 18:46 - Kevin Bahl (2) (Jack Hughes, Damon Severson)
Second Period:
BUF: 4:50 - Alex Tuch (31) (Jeff Skinner, Peyton Krebs); 16:38 - Alex Tuch (39) PPG (Rasmus Dahlin, Victor Olofsson)
NJD: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
NJD: 5:20 - Jack Hughes (38) (Jesper Bratt, Kevin Bahl); 9:33 - Jack Hughes (39) PPG (Nico Hischier, Dougie Hamilton)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
NJD: 13:24 - Nico Hischier (Roughing - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 6:51 - Henri Jokiharju (Cross-checking - 2 min.); 8:55 - Ramsus Dahlin (Cross-checking - 2 min.)
NJD: 10:36 - Dougie Hamilton (Holding - 2 min.); 15:17 - Michael McLeod (Holding - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 8:23 - Dylan Cozens (Slashing - 2 min.)
NJD: 16:31 - Damon Severson (Tripping - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Alex Tuch
2.) Jack Quinn
3.) Dylan Cozens
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What's next:
The Sabres are right back at it Saturday afternoon against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on Long Island. The puck drops at 5 p.m. ET on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. Pregame coverage with Brian Koziol begins at 4 p.m. ET.