Three-for-three on the penalty kill, and timely goal scoring propelled the Buffalo Sabres past the Dallas Stars 4-2 on Tuesday night at KeyBank Center, handing Dallas just their second loss of the season.

Peyton Krebs, Ryan McLeod, Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch each scored for the Sabres. Owen Power had three assists, while Beck Malenstyn, Tuch, Thompson and Jason Zucker recorded an assist each. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen held the Stars scoreless for more than 55 minutes and ended the night with 28 saves on 30 shots.

Thomas Harley and Tyler Seguin scored for Dallas. Jake Oettinger got the start in net for the Stars and made 21 saves.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Period

Despite a combined 11 high-danger scoring chances between the Sabres and Stars (according to Natural Stat Trick), the first period ended scoreless thanks to strong defensive play.

Dallas opened with five shot attempts by the time 30 seconds had elapsed in the game, but four were blocked in what would become a trend in the period. The Sabres blocked 13 shots, killed off two penalties, and recorded six hits through the opening 20 minutes while Luukkonen stopped all eight shots he faced.

Second Period

Following another successful penalty kill and 10 saves from Luukkonen through the first 11 minutes of the period, the Sabres broke through with goals from Krebs and McLeod scored 1:23 apart.

Power had a hand in both goals, beginning when he delivered a one-timer from the point that hit net-front traffic and deflected off the post. Krebs was there to bat the puck over the goal line out of mid-air.

Power initiated the next goal with a full-ice breakout pass to send Zucker on a 2-on-1 rush alongside McLeod. Zucker threaded the pass past defenseman Harley to set up McLeod at the back door.

Third Period

A rocket of a one-timer off of Thompson’s stick put Dallas a three-goal hole for the first time this season and proved to be the game-winning goal. Thompson’s goal was his fourth in five games.

With more than five minutes remaining, Dallas pulled Oettinger to give them a 6-on-5 man advantage. The Stars scored twice, cutting the Sabres lead to one.

With 11 seconds left on the clock, Tuch sealed the Sabres win with an empty net goal.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

GAME PHOTOS

UP NEXT

The Sabres will play game two of a four-game homestand on Saturday afternoon against the Detroit Red Wings. Tickets are available **here**. Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m. on MSG and WGR550.