Sabres outlast Ottawa, 4-1

In Buffalo, Craig Anderson made 35 saves, and the Sabres defeated the visiting Ottawa Senators, 4-,1 on Thursday night.“It was always fun [playing the Senators] back before I played there,” said Anderson,. “And then now it’s kind of fun as well. … It’s always fun to win hockey games regardless of what sweater you’re playing against.”

Buffalo’s JJ Peterka hot for his first career NHL goal.

“Just pure joy,” said Peterka. “… I was so excited. I don’t know, just speechless.”

Brady Tkachuk scored the Senators lone goal, he gave Ottawa a 1-0 lead in the first period.

“I thought we had a weak probably three minutes there in the second period where they got a couple on us,” Ottawa coach D.J. Smith said. “We had plenty of chances, we had breakaways, we had 2-on-0, 2-on-1s, and we just didn’t put it in the back of the net tonight.”

The Sabres took the lad in the second period when Rasmus Dahlin hit for a goal and a 2-1 lead.

“JJ was [better] tonight than he was at any point in the preseason, during the exhibition games,” Sabres coach Don Granato said. “That was really nice to see. The competition elevated, the competitive puck battles elevated, and I thought he was very determined in puck battles and showed a lot of strength. Once he won a battle through that, he opened up and saw lots of options and plays. The goal was outstanding. I thought he had a burst of speed to match Cozens, who we know has incredible acceleration. The two of them together on the goal they went from fourth to fifth gear and it was too much for the opposition. JJ put it in the back of the net immediately, as a goal-scorer does.”

With less than a minute left in the game, Victor Olofsson  hit for two empty-net goals for the 4-1 final.

“Execution,” Smith said. “I think the guys wanted it too much probably and just were squeezing maybe. Didn’t go in the net. But there was plenty of chances there, just doesn’t go in.”

Neither team scored on their four chances with the extra skater.

Anton Forsberg made 32 saves in the Sens loss.