The Buffalo Sabres (39-19-6) defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning (39-19-4) 8-7 in a wild back-and-forth game on Sunday night at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. For the Sabres, it was their seventh straight win, while Tampa Bay lost the second game of a back-to-back after beating the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Saturday night.
Nikita Kucherov led the way with two goals and an assist, while JJ Moser had a goal and two assists, and Darren Raddysh had three assists. Corey Perry, Zemgus Girgensons, Brayden Point, and Brandon Hagel also scored goals for Tampa Bay.
The Sabres built a leadof 3-0 early in the second period, but the Lightning came all the way back to tie the game 4-4 late in the second period. Tampa Bay built leads of 6-4 and 7-5 in the third period before Buffalo scored the game's final three goals to take an 8-7 victory.
Playing in the second game of a back-to-back, Jonas Johansson got the start in net and saved 34 of the 42 shots he faced. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen went 22--f-28 in net for Sabres in the winning effort.
The Lightning now return home and will host the Blue Jackets on Tuesday night. Puck drop between the Lightning and Blue Jackets is scheduled for 7:00 PM on Tuesday night at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES