BUFFALO, NY. (WKBW — The Buffalo Sabres delivered a seven-goal performance for fans inside the KeyBank Center Saturday night in a 7-2 win over the Las Vegas Golden Knights.
1st Period
How about this. Around two minutes after the opening puck drop, Jeff Skinner got the scoring going. After Las Vegas failed to clear the puck out of their zone, Skinner stayed with it and netted the game's first goal. Giving Buffalo an early 1-0 lead.
PLAY THE SONG!!! pic.twitter.com/m3TmvzmUrW
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 3, 2024
And just like that...We're Breakin' Free!Jeff Skinner does his best Alex Tuch impression from the other night and stays with the puck after LV can't clear it out of their zone and scoresIn the year 2024...the Buffalo #Sabres have scored first
— Dom Tibbetts (@DomTibbettsTV) March 3, 2024
2nd Period
Early in the period, Sabres forward Alex Tuch would be called for high-sticking, giving the Golden Knights a power-play. However, teammate Dylan Cozens was able to separate on a breakaway and score a short-handed goal, putting Buffalo ahead 2-0.
COZEY ON THE BREAKAWAY🚨🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/7sx0MhkKnV
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 3, 2024
That celebration would be short lived as Las Vegas would score their first and second goals of the game less than three minutes apart from each other, tying the game up at 2-2.
A Brendan Brisson beauty!!! 🏄♂️ pic.twitter.com/k4XkWKugWs
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) March 3, 2024
BINGO!!!! pic.twitter.com/foldVWePJf
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) March 3, 2024
With under six left to play in the period, the Sabres were finally rewarded for their offensive pressure in the Vegas zone. Zemgus Girgensons collected his seventh goal of the season off the assist from Eric Robinson.
The Latvian Locomotive coming through!!! 🚂 pic.twitter.com/w2FyeUi5PV
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 3, 2024
WR Train Latvian Locomotive 🤝Bringing hope to Buffalo on a Saturday #Sabres #Bills
— Dom Tibbetts (@DomTibbettsTV) March 3, 2024
3rd Period
Buffalo would keep that momentum rolling into the final period. The captain, Kyle Okposo, off assists from Skinner and Casey Mittelstadt found the back of the net to extend the lead to 4-2.
That's our captain! pic.twitter.com/OAbQhsfQ7C
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 3, 2024
And as future Highmark Stadium performer Luke Combs once said, "When it rains, it pours." Owen Power would keep the party going with his fourth goal of the year just a short while later. To make it 5-2 Buffalo.
He's got that POWER ⚡ pic.twitter.com/Knfa1ol7aZ
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 3, 2024
And would the Sabres really be wearing the Black and Red threads without scoring six goals? No of course not. So, Casey Mittelstadt slotted his 14th of the year on the power-play. Pushing the lead to 6-2 with under eight minutes left in the game.
We fear he has gone Mittelstadt mode 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Cqrxcb2zNG
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 3, 2024
But for a little added insurance, and simply because tonight the Sabres had their way, Dylan Cozens collected his second short-handed goal of the night to make it 7-2. That would be your final in this game.
THAT'S TWO FOR COZEY pic.twitter.com/Uti1lU9jlo
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 3, 2024
UP NEXT
Buffalo hosts Winnipeg Sunday night at 7 p.m. from the KeyBank Center.
