The Buffalo Sabres could not hold onto a two-goal third period lead on Monday afternoon. A pair of Dylan Larkin goals led the Detroit Red Wings to a 3-2 win over the Sabres in overtime at KeyBank Center.
Henri Jokiharju was able to get a shot from the point through traffic, giving the Sabres a 1-0 lead halfway through the opening period. Alex Tuch helped set the screen in front of the net on the game's first goal. Rasmus Dahlin and Jeff Skinner were credited with the assists.
The Sabres out shot Detroit, 7-4, in the first period. Both teams had a power play opportunity, but were unable to score. Peyton Krebs was called for boarding, but the blue and gold did not allow a special teams goal.
Sabres goalie Aaron Dell made a big save early in the second period to keep Buffalo in front by a goal. He came across to make a big save on Red Wings forward, Pius Suter.
Tuch thought he had doubled Buffalo's lead to 2-0 part way through the middle period. However, he was determined to be offside seconds earlier on Detroit's challenge. The goal was wiped away, and the lead remained at 1-0 for the blue and gold.
Skinner's 14th goal of the season came just over nine minutes into the third period to increase the Sabres' lead to 2-0 over Detroit. The Red Wings challenged for goaltender interference. However, the officials determined Alex Nedeljkovic was not interfered with and the goal was upheld.
The Red Wings were assessed a penalty for losing the coach's challenge, but scored shorthanded to cut their deficit to 2-1. Vladislav Namestnikov recorded his 11th goal of the year after a pass by Moritz Seider.
Larkin tied the game at 2-2 with 17th his goal of the season off of a one-timer moments later. Robby Fabbri made the pass from below the goal line that helped create the game-tying goal. He was credited with the only assist.
Larkin took advantage of a turnover in the Sabres' zone early in overtime to score the game-winning goal. Nick Leddy made the pass to help setup the score, and recorded the only assist.
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GAME RECAP
Goal Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 9:56 - Henri Jokiharju (2) (Rasmus Dahlin, Jeff Skinner)
DET: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
DET: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: 9:21 - Jeff Skinner (14) (Tage Thompson)
DET: 10:21 - Vladislav Namestnikov (11) SHG (Moritz Seider, Tyler Bertuzzi); 13:28 - Dylan Larkin (17) (Robby Fabbri)
Overtime:
BUF: NONE
DET: 2:07 - Dylan Larkin (18) (Nick Leddy)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 11:38 - Peyton Krebs (Boarding - 2 min.); 16:59 - Dylan Cozens (Cross checking - 2 min.)
DET: 16:59 - Joe Veleno (High sticking - 4 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 19:47 - Kyle Okposo (Unsportsmanlike conduct - 2 min.)
DET: 19:47 - Adam Erne (Unsportsmanlike conduct - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
DET: 9:21 - TEAM (Delay of game - 2 min.)
Overtime:
BUF: NONE
DET: NONE
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Dylan Larkin - DET
2.) Jeff Skinner - BUF
3.) Vladislav Namestnikov - DET
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What's next:
The Sabres are right back on the road Tuesday night for a matchup with the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m. EST with pregame coverage on WGR starting at 6 p.m. EST with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog.
