Tage Thompson and Peyton Krebs each had a goal and an assist for the Buffalo Sabres in a 2-1 win against the host New Jersey Devils on Wednesday.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 27 saves for the Sabres in his return after missing five games with a lower-body injury.
Timo Meier scored and Jake Allen made 28 saves for the Devils, who have lost four straight and six of seven.
Thompson gave Buffalo a 1-0 lead at 8:10 of the second period. Krebs collected a chip pass from Bowen Byram in the neutral zone to create a 2-on-1, carrying it to the top of the left circle before sending it under Brett Pesce’s stick over to Thompson. The center received it inside the right circle, dragged it to the slot and fired a wrist shot past Allen blocker side.
After a slow start to the period for the Sabres, Thompson’s goal gave them a jump in their step as they pressed to extend their lead on the following shift.
The Devils had their opportunities to equalize. Luukkonen got over to deny Dawson Mercer from the right circle on a 2-on-1 midway through the frame. Nick Bjugstad was alone in front, but the center’s shot deflected off Luukkonen’s mask and over the net. Nico Hischier missed wide on a short-handed breakaway with two and a half minutes left in the period.
Krebs made it 2-0 at 10:36 of the third period. Jack Hughes lost control of the puck inside his own blue line, and Thompson, his Team USA teammate at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, poked it away to take it himself. Thompson sent a short feed to Krebs, who settled the bouncing puck and roofed it over Allen’s right shoulder and under the bar.
With Allen pulled for the extra attacker, Meier cut the deficit in half at 17:30. After Hughes intercepted a clearing attempt at the right point, New Jersey kept the play going in the zone. Hughes put a shot on goal from down low, and Meier jammed it in from in front.
