On the Horn | Avalanche 5 – Saber 4

The Buffalo Sabers couldn’t maintain their offensive pressure from a dominant first period as they lost 5-4 to the Colorado Avalanche at KeyBank Center on Tuesday.

Heading into the game, coach Lindy Ruff expressed optimism that adjustments to his ranks could revitalize his struggling offense. The early results were excellent as Jason Zucker set up two goals from Tage Thompson, JJ Peterka broke out of his scoring drought and Beck Malenstyn ended Colorado goalkeeper Alexandar Georgiev’s night after just 12 minutes.

But Colorado’s relentless third period mirrored Buffalo’s first, as the Avalanche rallied from a 4-1 deficit in the final 20 minutes.

Sabers captain Rasmus Dahlin logged just one shift in the third period as he left the game with back spasms.

Georgiev allowed four goals on eight shots. Scott Wedgewood, making his Colorado debut in relief after being acquired from Nashville on Saturday, stopped all 22 shots he faced, keeping the door open for Colorado’s comeback.

Buffalo goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen allowed five goals on 41 shots.

Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals and an assist, while Arturri Lehkonen, Logan O’Connor and Joel Kirivanta also contributed a goal each.

Former Buffalo forward Casey Mittelstadt, traded for Bowen Byram on March 6, returned to his hometown of seven years and was honored with a welcome video during a timeout in the first period.

Tuesday’s loss extends Buffalo’s losing streak to four games, its longest of the season so far.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First period

Zucker’s move to the top line paid immediate dividends as he helped set up Thompson’s goal at 3:22. Zucker stole the puck from Mikko Rantanen with a dive at the end boards. Alex Tuch then passed to Connor Clifton, who tapped the crossbar and set up an open net for Thompson on the carom.

Colorado called for goalkeeper interference, but Thompson had minimal contact with Georgiev in the goal crease and the goal stood.

Zucker set up another Thompson goal at 6:39, finding his new center at the left circle and watching as Thompson fired a backhand through Georgiev.

Just 11 seconds later, Peterka netted a cross from Zach Benson, snapping a six-game, eight-goal losing streak. The 11-second gap is the shortest between goals for the Sabers so far this season.

And at 11:49 a.m., just after a Sabers power play expired, Malenstyn ran through Colorado’s defense and extended the lead to 4-0.

Before Tuesday’s early blitz, Buffalo had last scored four goals in the first period on March 12 against Detroit. The barrage prompted Avalanche coach Jared Bednar to sign Georgiev to Wedgewood.

Luukkonen made a few stops to survive a late avalanche and finished the first period with nine saves.