JJ Peterka scored the first goal of the Sabres’ season – and the first of his NHL career – to erase a second-period deficit and propel Buffalo to a 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators inside KeyBank Center on Thursday.
Rasmus Dahlin also scored, and Victor Olofsson added a pair of empty net-goals for the Sabres, who received 35 saves on 36 shots from goaltender Craig Anderson.
How it happened
PERIOD 1
The Senators struck first in a tightly contested period, which ended with the Sabres owning a 19-18 edge in shot attempts and a 9-7 advantage in scoring chances.
Brady Tkachuk opened the scoring with 9:44 remaining, the product of a seeing-eyed breakout pass by defenseman Erik Brannstrom from deep in the Ottawa zone. Brannstrom’s feed hit Drake Batherson in stride in the neutral zone and Batherson found Tkachuk in the slot on the rush.
PERIOD 2
Video: OTT@BUF: Peterka scores in 2nd period
Peterka scored Buffalo’s first goal of the season 4:31 into the period, the product of a give-and-go play on the rush with linemate Dylan Cozens.
Video: OTT@BUF: Dahlin chips Krebs’ pass into the twine
The Sabres added to the lead less than three minutes later thanks to a highlight-reel effort from Dahlin, who deked past a defender in his own zone before carrying the puck end to end, passing it off, and dashing to the front of the Senators net.
Kyle Okposo fed Peyton Krebs behind the net, and Krebs found Dahlin at the net front.
Buffalo killed off a 5-on-3 power play that lasted 49 seconds to carry the 2-1 lead into the intermission.
PERIOD 3
The Sabres killed off a tripping penalty against Casey Mittelstadt to open the period, improving to 4-for-4 on the night.
Anderson locked down the lead from that point on. His 11-save period included a diving poke check to rob Tim Stutzle.
Olofsson then put the game away with two empty-net goals 15 seconds apart in the final minute of regulation.
What we learned
1. The Sabres held a pregame ceremony emceed by Rick Jeanneret, who is sticking around this season in the role of Broadcaster Emeritus. Read about his role here.
2. Once the ceremony concluded, the Sabres and Senators joined at center ice to honor the 10 victims who lost their lives in the racist mass shooting at Tops Friendly Markets in East Buffalo on May 14. Families of the victims were in attendance and welcomed with a video message from Okposo.
Watch the ceremony and Okposo’s message below.
Video: Choose Love ceremonial faceoff
3. Peterka, 19, became the 14th player in Sabres history age 20 or younger to score in a season opener. That list includes Gilbert Perreault, Danny Gare, Tony McKegney, Lindy Ruff, Dave Andreychuk, and Alexander Mogilny.
4. Anderson earned his sixth win in nine career games against his former team. Anderson is the Senators’ all-time leader in wins and games played by a goalie. Brian Duff has more on Anderson’s historic 20th season here.
5. Members of the Buffalo Bills were in attendance – including Josh Allen, who sported an Alex Tuch jersey.
Up next
The Sabres host the Florida Panthers on Saturday afternoon. It will be “Hocktoberfest” at KeyBank Center, beginning with a fall-themed Party in the Plaza at 11 a.m. The first 10,000 fans inside the building will receive a magnet schedule
Tickets are available here.
Coverage on MSG begins at 12:30 p.m. The puck drops at 1 on MSG and WGR 550.
This news is republished from another source. You can check the original article here