STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
BUFFALO — The Buffalo Sabres scored five unanswered goals Saturday night to turn a 3-0 deficit to the Columbus Blue Jackets into a 5-3 win.
Columbus controlled the game early with goals in the first period by David Savard, Nick Foligno and Oliver Bjorkstrand.
From the very start of the second period, the Sabres started clawing back. Jake McCabe scored the first goal for the Blue & Gold just 18 seconds in, assisted by Nick Deslauriers and Evander Kane. At 5:43, Matt Moulson made it 3-2 on the power play, assisted by Brian Gionta and Zach Bogosian. And Sam Reinhart tied the game at 3 with less than three ticks left of the second-period clock. Rasmus Ristolainen assisted.
The game stayed tied at 3 through almost the entirety of the third period — before Kane put Buffalo up 4-3 at 17:31 thanks to a perfect feed from Jack Eichel. Ristolainen also got an assist on the goal. Eichel then iced the game with four seconds left, scoring an empty netter, assisted by Ryan O’Reilly.
Even with the win, the Sabres playoff chances remain slim. They are eight points out of a playoff spot with 13 games remaining.
The Sabres next play Tuesday at 10:30 p.m. when they visit the San Jose Sharks.