Sabres score 5 straight, rally past Sharks

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Buffalo Sabres scored five unanswered goals in a 5-2 win against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on Saturday.

Sharks forward Justin Bailey (90) avoids a check attempt by Peyton Krebs (19) – Photo by Jack Lima

Dylan Cozens had a goal and two assists, JJ Peterka scored twice, and Alex Tuch had a goal and an assist for the Sabres (22-23-4), who have won two straight. Casey Mittelstadt had two assists, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 23 saves.

“I don’t think we ever wavered in our confidence and our energy,” Tuch said. “Our style of play, I don’t think, really changed. We just tightened up a few areas, made a couple better plays with the puck and we were just a little stronger in puck battles.”

Sharks forward Alexander Barabanov (94) dives to make a pass in front of Eric Robinson (50) – Photo by Jack Lima

William Eklund had two assists, and Kaapo Kahkonen made 31 saves for the Sharks (13-32-4), who ended their three-game winning streak.

“A good start by us, scored on some chances that we got. But I don’t think we did enough around their net,” San Jose captain Logan Couture said. “Didn’t make it as hard on the goaltender as we would have liked to, and gave them a few chances in our defensive zone.”

Sharks forward Alexander Barabanov (94) attempts to skate around Eric Robinson (right) – Photo by Jack Lima

Peterka cut the lead to 2-1 at 14:14 of the first period, putting in a rebound in front off Cozens’ wraparound attempt.

Jordan Greenway put in a cross-crease pass from Tuch to tie it 2-2 at 18:01.

Tuch gave Buffalo a 3-2 lead at 1:36 of the second period with a wrist shot from the right circle past a screened Kahkonen.

Sharks captain Logan Couture looks up at linesman Mitch Hunt prior to a face-off – Photo by Jack Lima

Peterka’s second goal, a one-timer from the right circle on a 3-on-2 rush, made it 4-2 at 4:33 of the third period.

Cozens scored an empty-net goal for the 5-2 final at 15:44.

Marc-Edouard Vlasic put San Jose ahead 1-0 at 8:06 of the first period when Eklund set him up for a slap shot through traffic from the left circle.

“He’s been playing really well since he’s gotten back into the lineup on a regular basis here,” Couture said. “That’s vintage Marc-Edouard Vlasic.”

Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen takes a water break – Photo by Jack Lima

Jan Rutta made it 2-0 at 10:42 when his wrist shot from the point deflected in off the stick of Sabres defenseman Ryan Johnson.

“It looked like we thought it was going to be easy,” Sharks coach David Quinn said. “I thought we came out with a lot of energy, a lot of pace. And then all of a sudden, we get up 2-0 and it was funny how it just changed. We got away from skating and competing and playing responsibly, and we weren’t able to get it back.”

Sharks rookie defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin made his NHL debut during todays game – Photo by Jack Lima

Sabres forward Jack Quinn left the game at 7:07 of third period with an apparent lower-body injury. Sabres coach Don Granato did not have an update on Quinn after the game.

“It was devastating to see him go down the way he did,” Granato said. “He’s endured a lot already in a very young career. So it’s a struggle. We don’t [know] to what extent that he’s going to be out, but it’s certainly not day to day.”

Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen makes a stick save as Sharks forward Nico Sturm (7) looks for a rebound – Photo by Jack Lima

NOTES: The Sabres recorded multigoal comeback wins in consecutive games after defeating the Los Angeles Kings 5-2 on Wednesday for the first time since May 3-4, 2021. … Sharks defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin recorded one hit and three shots on goal in 19:21 of ice time in his NHL debut.

Sabres Dylan Cozens (24) and Sharks Logan Couture face-off during first period action – Photo by Jack Lima

Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) takes a shot on Sharks goalie Kaapo Kahkonen as defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlassic (44) attempts to contain him – Photo by Jack Lima