Victor Olofsson scored 36 seconds into overtime for his second goal of the game to lift the Buffalo Sabres to a 4-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday at KeyBank Center.
Tage Thompson scored twice in the third period to tie the game and also added an assist for his first multi-point game of the season. Kyle Okposo and Jeff Skinner also recorded two assists each.
Craig Anderson made 23 saves in net.
How it happened
PERIOD 1
The Sabres generated a 16-5 edge in shots but emerged from a period that included four penalties and two coaches’ challenges tied, 1-1.
Olofsson buried the Sabres’ 10th shot of the night on their second power play, but the goal was taken off the board after a successful offside challenge by the Blackhawks – though only momentarily. Olofsson scored again off the very next draw, emphatically sending a shot in from the high slot.
Video: CHI@BUF: Olofsson scores PPG from face-off draw
Jason Dickinson answered with a power-play goal for the Blackhawks with 9:40 remaining in the period. Dickinson collected the puck to the left of the net after an initial save by Anderson and tossed it toward the goal line. Multiple players collapsed toward the puck, eventually pushing it across.
The Sabres challenged unsuccessfully for goaltender interference. Video replay showed Blackhawks forward Andreas Athanasiou make contact with Anderson in the crease, but officials ruled that Athanasiou was making an attempt at the loose puck.
Below is the full explanation from the NHL Situation Room:
“Video review confirmed no goaltender interference occurred as Andreas Athanasiou was making a play on the loose puck in the crease before Jason Dickinson’s goal. The decision was made in accordance with Rule 69.7 which states, in part, the goal on the ice should have been allowed because ‘in a rebound situation, or where a goalkeeper and attacking player(s) are simultaneously attempting to play a loose puck, whether inside or outside the crease, incidental contact will be permitted, and any goal that is scored as a result thereof will be allowed.'”
PERIOD 2
Chicago pulled ahead on goals from Sam Lafferty and Taylor Raddysh scored 1:31 apart. Like the goal from Dickinson, both were scored amid scrambles inside the blue paint.
The 3-1 score held despite the Sabres once again generating advantages in shot attempts (27-21) and scoring chances (17-12).
PERIOD 3
The Sabres killed off a penalty for too many men to start the period, then made their push until Thompson brought them back.
Thompson scored his first goal with 8:05 remaining. Okposo took a shot from long-range and Thompson buried the rebound from the blue paint:
Video: CHI@BUF: Thompson nets rebound to put Sabres within 1
The Sabres killed off a penalty before Thompson struck again for the game-tying goal with 3:13 remaining. Okposo forechecked down low, found Jeff Skinner in front, and Skinner found Thompson stationed at the backdoor.
Video: CHI@BUF: Thompson bats in 2nd of game for tie
OVERTIME
The Sabres opened the extra period on the power play after Jonathan Toews took a holding penalty with 1:07 left in regulation. Rasmus Dahlin then found Olofsson on the right wing to set up the game-winner 36 seconds in.
Video: CHI@BUF: Dahlin sets up Olofsson for OT winner
What we learned
1. Ilya Lyubushkin did not play due to a lower-body injury. Kale Clague stepped in and made his Sabres debut on defense, finishing with one hit, one blocked shot and an even rating in 17:09 of action.
2. Sabres coach Don Granato tweaked the forward lines late in the second period, to positive results. Okposo moved alongside Thompson and Skinner and earned assists on both Thompson goals.
3. Olofsson has six goals and they’ve come in three multi-goal games. He scored twice on opening night, twice in Vancouver and now twice at home against Chicago.
Up next
The homestand continues against Detroit on Monday.Tickets are available here.
Coverage on MSG begins at 6:30 p.m. The puck drops at 7.