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The Tampa Bay Lighting comeback to beat Sabres in a high scoring matchup where defense was optional, and no lead was safe. With a final score of 6-5 the lightning secured their 10th win in their last 11 games. This puts the Lightning within one point of second place behind the Maple Leafs.
The Sabres, who have now lost their last five matchups, remain last in the Atlantic Division.
Back-and-Forth Affair
The Lighting struck first as Nick Paul scored at the 5:01 mark in the first period. The Sabres quickly tied it up 16 seconds after Paul scored with a goal of their own from Rasmus Dahlin. The fast-paced scoring continued as Lighting defenseman Darren Raddysh scored the third goal in the last minute. These 60 seconds set the stage for what would be a wild, high scoring affair that would see five lead changes, a hat trick and 11 total goals.
After leading 2-1 six minutes in, the Lightning would never see the lead again till the final goal. The Sabres would leave the first period with a 3-2 advantage after goals from Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs.
https://twitter.com/BuffaloSabres/status/1897811215197384909
The second period saw a total of five of the 11 goals with Lighting left winger Jake Guentzel scoring his first goal of his hat trick. The Sabres would take a 5-3 lead midway through the period though after a pair of goals from Tage Thompson and JJ Peterka.
Unfortunately for the Sabres, the Lightning struck twice quick as Guentzel scored two goals at the 17:41 mark and 18:46 mark causing the second period to end in a 5-5 tie.
https://twitter.com/TBLightning/status/1897853496730304934
The final goal of the matchup came from Lightning newcomer Oliver Bjorkstrand who scored his first goal as a Tampa Bay Lightning 1:40 into the third period giving them a 6-5 victory.
Stat Leaders
The Lightning were led by Guentzel who achieved a hat trick in the contest and led all skaters in goals. Both Brandon Hagel and Nikita Kucherov led the lightning with two assists.
As for the Sabres, their scoring game from multiple places with five different skaters scoring a goal. Zach Benson and Ryan Mcloud had a team high of two assists.
What’s next
The Lightning will stay home as they take on the Bruins Saturday at 3 p.m. ET. The Sabres will stay in Florida as they take on the Panthers Saturday at 6 p.m. ET.
