The Buffalo Sabres lost 3-1 to the Colorado Avalanche on Monday at KeyBank Center, marking the start of a three-game homestand. Tage Thompson scored his first goal of the season for Buffalo, but it was not enough to secure a win.
Nathan MacKinnon led the Avalanche with two goals. Cale Makar added a goal and an assist, while Martin Necas recorded two assists. Goaltender Scott Wedgewood made 28 saves for Colorado.
Buffalo’s Alex Lyon started in goal for the third consecutive game and stopped 34 out of 37 shots faced.
The Sabres began the game with five of the first six shots but fell behind when MacKinnon scored on Colorado’s second shot. Thompson tied the game late in the first period with help from Alex Tuch and Rasmus Dahlin. However, Colorado regained control in the second period with goals from Makar and MacKinnon.
MacKinnon’s second goal came during a four-on-four sequence following an embellishment call against Alex Tuch, which canceled what would have been a Buffalo power play as they trailed by one goal. The Sabres were unable to capitalize on any of their three power-play opportunities, all occurring in the first period.
Defenseman Mattias Samuelsson missed the game due to injury and is listed as day-to-day. Other injured players include Michael Kesselring, Josh Norris, Jordan Greenway, Zach Benson, and goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
The Sabres will continue their homestand on Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators. Coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m., with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m.
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