In Buffalo, the visiting Anaheim Ducks scored three times in the middle frame en route to a 4-3win over the Sabres in a Monday matinee. 
Frank Vatrano hit for a double in the win, his 25th and 26th goals of the campaign. He keeps going like this and he may end back with the New York Rangers.
“It was big,” Vatrano said. “We weren’t happy with it, had a good practice yesterday and kind of put it behind us. Came out a little flat, but I think we had a good last 40 minutes of that game.”
Yes it was big, but it was bigger for those on the Ducks who will be moving come trade deadline.
John Gibson made 34 saves in the win.
The Ducks moved to 20-33-2.
The Sabres struck first on a marker from Jordan Greenway at 9:07 of the opening stanza, for a 1-0 lead.
The Ducks replied with a goal from Adam Henrique midway through the first to tie it, 1-1.
The Ducks were outshot, 15-4 in the first period.
“I forget to talk about him (Gibson) sometimes because he just is like that every night for us,” Anaheim’s Troy Terry said. “He really is the backbone of our team. Some games you almost take it for granted and we hang him out to dry. It’s our job to give him as much support as we can, and some of the saves he made tonight were just outrageous.”
The Sabres dropped to 24-27-4.
“I think we were just sloppy with the puck,” Buffalo center Tage Thompson said. “Obviously, I had a bad turnover that cost us, and all the goals they got were just gifts that we gave them. They didn’t really have to work for anything. We just gave them free chances, free opportunities, and you can’t do that.”
Thompson gave the Sabres a 2-1 lead off a power play strike at 8:10 of the middle frame.
Vatrano then hit for his double in a span of 2:35, he hit for his first at 11:59 for a 2-2 tie.
He collected his double off an odd man rush at 14:34 to push the Ducks into a 3-2 lad
The Sabres tied the game, 3-3, on a strike by Zach Benson 15:20 of the second.
Terry then hit for the game-winner at 18:56 for a 4-3 final count on the scoreboard.
“I just kind of got it low and, kind of ran out of space,” Terry said, “so I just tried to make a quick move out and just get it on net. I think it went under his arm or something. It’s just one of those goals. Sometimes you put one on the corner, and you think it’s for sure going in and then the goalie makes a good save. That was just an in-tight goal that just happened to find a way through.”
There was no scoring in the third period, despite heavy pressure from Thompson and the Sabres.
“Tage, he’s doing the right things,” Sabres coach Don Granato said. “I think probably in his own head a little bit pressing. Evident on the breakaway, the chances he had … I think if he’s feeling it, he’s probably elevating it over the glove.”
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 11 saves in the loss.
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