BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres snapped a six-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night at KeyBank Center. Tage Thompson led the charge with two goals, increasing his team-leading total to 33 for the season.
The Sabres (25-32-6) opened the scoring at 7:22 of the first period when Thompson capitalized on a rebound, giving Buffalo an early lead. The Oilers (37-23-4) responded at 1:35 into the second period with a goal from defenseman Darnell Nurse, assisted by Leon Draisaitl, who extended his point streak to 15 games with the helper.
Buffalo regained the lead at 12:47 of the second period when Alex Tuch found the back of the net. Edmonton answered again with a goal from Evan Bouchard, tying the game at 2-2. Thompson secured the win for the Sabres with his second goal of the night early in the third period, assisted by newcomer Josh Norris, who recorded his first point with Buffalo since joining the team.
Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was instrumental in the Sabres’ victory, making 32 saves, including a crucial glove save on Draisaitl during an Oilers power play late in the third period.
Despite outshooting Buffalo 34-22 and hitting the post three times, the Oilers couldn’t overcome Luukkonen’s stellar performance. Edmonton has now lost seven of their last ten games, hindering their pursuit of the Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights.
The Sabres will look to build on this momentum as they visit the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday, while the Oilers continue their road trip against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.
