In Tampa, Thursday night, the Buffalo Sabres put their 10-game win streak on the line against the Lightning and came up just short in a 5-4 loss in regulation.’
Steve Stamkos and Cedric Paquette scored in the third period to tie and take the lead (respectively) for the Bolts after the Sabres had taken a 4-3 lead earlier in the final frame.
“It’s a great feeling to see that shot go in against a team like that,” Paquette said. “It was a playoff atmosphere. They were playing hard, they won 10 straight, and we really wanted the challenge.”
Louis Domingue made 18 saves in win over Buffalo – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
Dan Girardi, Alex Killorn and Nikita Kucherov also scored for the Lightning.
Louis Domingue made 18 saves to get the win as the Bolts improved to 18-7-2.
“Both teams coughed up leads,” Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said. “There were a ton of swings in this game, and I’m pretty sure if you’re a fan of hockey and in the building tonight, you enjoyed this game.”
Sam Reinhart (two goals), Tage Thompson and Zemgus Girgensons scored for the Sabres.
“When you go on a streak like that, teams are going to take notice and be ready for you and they certainly were tonight,” Reinhart said. “We have another opportunity, another crack at it to get two more points tomorrow.”
Buffalo dropped to 17-8-2 with the loss.
“I thought it was a great stretch by us, 10 games in a row is pretty good,” said Buffalo captain Jack Eichel, who had two assists. “It shows us we can win every night we go out there, and that should be our mindset.”
[WATCH: All Sabres vs. Lightning highlights]
Carter Hutton made 32 saves in taking the loss.
“That game could have gone either way. I wish we had those guys again, but we don’t. It’s an emotional game, but we have to make sure we’re ready for tomorrow too,” the Sabres’ Kyle Okposo said.
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