In Newark, Vitek Vanecek made 23 saves for the New Jersey Devils in a 5-4 win over the visiting Buffalo Sabres on Friday.
Erik Haula hit for his second goal of the game at 14:17 of the third to snap a 4-4 tie to send New Jersey to the win.
“[Haula] was hurt a little bit this season, and I don’t think he was up to speed in the previous couple of games,” New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff said, “but tonight we saw more of what we need out of him. When you look at his overall play, a real solid game for us.”
Buffalo took a 1-0 lead on a marker from JJ Peterka at 6:11.
Just 90 seconds later, Alexander Holtz tied it for New Jersey at 1-1.
Tage Thompson restored the Sabres lead at 14:41, 2-1.
New Jersey replied just 19 seconds later on a goal from Jesper Bratt for a 2-2 tie.
Haula scored a shorthanded goal at 13:47 of the middle frame for a 3-2 lead to New Jersey.
“It was a game that had pretty radical swings when you look at the overall game,” Ruff said. “There were pockets in the first period I thought we were really good. I thought there were pockets where they were good, too. Buffalo has some good skill up front, they make a lot of in-tight plays. You look at the goal Thompson scored … incredible move to get around the goaltender.
“We fought our way back, took a lead. They fought their way back again, so we were able to grab momentum on a couple of those goals. I thought the short-handed goal was huge for momentum. I also thought Jesper’s goal was as well.”
On the spirit of trading goals, Buffalo tied it with a strike by Rasmus Dahlin at 17:32, 3-3.
“Overall, there were pockets of real good and pockets of inconsistency, so we need more of the real good,” Buffalo coach Don Granato said. “We did it to ourselves. We made our own mess. It’s disappointing.”
New Jersey’s Jack Hughes scored off the power play at 2:09 of the third for a 4-3 lead.
The Sabres then tied it, 4-4, at 12:35 of the third.
Eric Comrie got the start for the Sabres, and surrendered two goals, making 16 saves, before the leaving the midway through the second period with an injury.
“It wasn’t optimal (coming in cold), but you just do what you can do,” Luukkonen said. “I have to be ready. I’m always ready on the bench, talking to the guys. In the end, it’s hockey.”
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 19 saves. in relief.
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