DETROIT, Mich. — The Buffalo Sabres climbed out of the basement of the NHL’s Eastern Conference, beating the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 at Joe Louis Arena. The win puts Buffalo in a three-way tie for 13th place with Detroit and and the New York Islanders, one-point up on the New Jersey Devils.
Evander Kane started the scoring for the Sabres at 7:12 of the first period. Brian Gionta and Zach Bogosian assisted on the wraparound goal. Sam Reinhart put Buffalo up 2-0 at 15:54 of the first period. Rasmus Ristolainen and Jack Eichel assisted on the power play goal.
Henrik Zetterberg put Detroit on the board at 14:46 of the second period, assisted by Steve Ott and Anthony Mantha. Eichel returned Buffalo to a two-goal lead just 22 seconds later. Marcus Foligno assisted. Drew Miller stuck back for the Red Wings 1:06 later. Dylan Larkin assisted.
In the third period, former Sabres Thomas Vanek tied the game at 3 at 6:33. The power play goal was unassisted. Kane scored his second of the night — and eighth of the season — at 8:29. Gionta and Dmitry Kulikov assisted.
The Sabres next play Thursday when the Boston Bruins visit KeyBank Center at 7 p.m.
