A strong first period ended with a win for the Buffalo Sabres Sunday night.
The Sabres (20-19-7) struck first early in the game with a goal from Evan Rodrigues at 2:39. He was assisted by teammates Curtis Lazar and Conor Sheary. This was his first goal of the season and snapped a 33-game scoring drought.
Lazar bulls over his man and feeds rodrigues, 1-0 #Sabres50 #LGRW pic.twitter.com/YtVjHHzX4A
— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) January 12, 2020
It wasn’t long before Rodrigues would score again. After a slashing penalty was called at 3:25 on Mike Green, Rodrigues score on the power play at 5 minutes in. This was Rodrigues’ first multi-goal game since December 10, 2017. With 7:17 left in the period, Zemgus Girgensons scored shorthanded to bring the Sabres’ lead to three. This was his eighth goal of the season.
Madison Bowey scored the only goal for Detroit (12-31-3) with 8:04 left in the second period. The Red Wings currently have the fewest points in the NHL. The lead was almost cut by one point just three minutes later when a deflected shot made is past Linus Ullmark and into the crease. Brandon Montour used his glove to prevent the puck from going over the goal line. The play had initially been ruled a goal, but the call was quickly changed and Zach Bogosian was penalized for delay of game for knocking off the net.
The Sabres took over the third period. Bogosian scored his first goal of the season at 2:35 in. Newbie Michael Frolik was credited with the secondary assist, his first point since joining the Sabres just four days ago. Rasmus Ristolainen gave Buffalo the 5-1 lead with a power-play goal at 3:40 into the third period. He was assisted by teammates Jack Eichel and Rasmus Dahlin, who added to their point streaks now seven and four games.
You better believe that's Zach Bogosian with the dangles. pic.twitter.com/rI1z7q0SAT
— NHL (@NHL) January 13, 2020
Ullmark ended the night with 21 saves. Curtis Lazar had a multi-point night with two assists.
The Sabres head back to Buffalo to face the Vegas Golden Nights Tuesday Night.