SAN JOSE, Calif. – Jeff Skinner scored the tiebreaking goal midway through the third period for the Buffalo Sabres in a 4-2 win against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on Saturday.
Skinner and Alex Tuch each had a goal and an assist, and Dylan Cozens scored his 20th goal of the season for the Sabres (28-22-4), who won the final two of a three-game California road trip. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 33 saves.
Sabres Alternate Captain Zemgus Girgensons prepared to enter the ice for pre-game warmups. – Photo by Jack Lima
Evgeny Svechnikov and Alexander Barabanov scored for the Sharks (17-29-11), who have lost three straight. Kaapo Kahkonen made 27 saves.
Skinner put the Sabres ahead 3-2 at 9:52 of the third. After winning a battle with Mario Ferraro behind the net, Tage Thompson poked the loose puck at the edge of the crease to Skinner, who shot into an open net.
Zemgus Girgensons (right) loose his balance during a second period faceoff – Photo by Jack Lima
Skinner’s goal came after Kahkonen stopped Peyton Krebs on a penalty shot at 1:23 of the third.
Tuch scored into an empty net at 18:59 for the 4-2 final.
Cozens gave Buffalo a 1-0 lead at 3:01 of the first period, finishing an end-to-end rush by beating Kahkonen five-hole from the bottom of the right circle.
Svechnikov tied it 1-1 at 16:49 when he redirected a wrist shot from Jacob MacDonald.
Owen Power put the Sabres back in front 2-1 at 6:26 of the second period with a backhand five-hole from in front.
Tyson Jost (Left) and Nico Sturm (7) faceoff during third period action – Photo by Jack Lima
Barabanov tied it again 2-2 at 11:57. He scored into an open net after Erik Karlsson’s shot deflected wide off the stick of Logan Couture and caromed to him off the end boards.
Photos by Jack.Lima@Prohockeynews.com
Timo Meier (28) attempts to prevent Alex Tuck (89) from scoring an empty net goal – Photo by Jack Lima
A dejected Timo Meier sits along the boards after he failed to prevent the Sabres’ game clinching empty net goal late in the third period – Photo by Jack Lima
Tage Thompson takes a shot on goal – Photo by Jack Lima
Tage Thompson (72) runs into the crossbar as he tries to avoid a collision with Sharks goalie Kaapo Kahkonen – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks goalie Kaapo Kahkonen stops a shot by Dylan Cozens (24) as defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) tries to block the shot – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks goalie Kaapo Kahkonen stops a penalty shot attempt by Peyton Krebs (19) – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks goalie Kaapo Kahkonen attempts to control a rebound as defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) holds back Sabres forward Tyson Jost – Photo by Jack Lima
Peyton Krebs (19) draws a hooking penalty from Timo Meiers (28) that results in a penalty shot – Photo by Jack Lima
Jack Quinn (22) and Steven Lorentz (16) battle for position – Photo by Jack Lima
Buffalo goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) stops a shot by Noah Gregor (73) – Photo by Jack Lima
Buffalo forward Tage Thompson looks to make a pass – Photo by Jack Lima
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