Ryan Donato’s overtime goal spoiled Alex Lyon’s return to the net as the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Buffalo Sabres 3–2 on Thursday night at the United Center.
Playing the second game of a back-to-back and opening a road trip, the last thing the fatigued Sabres needed was overtime. Their tired legs were noticeable in the third period, when Chicago created its best chances of the game, including Frank Nazar’s tying goal.
Early on, the struggling Blackhawks looked like just what the Sabres needed after Buffalo had lost its previous two games, including an 8–3 blowout against the Tampa Bay Lightning the night before.
Nine minutes into the first period, Josh Norris made a clever behind-the-back pass to a wide-open Owen Power, who beat Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight on the blocker side.
Chicago tied the game on Frank Nazar’s first goal of the night, a power-play tap-in set up by Connor Bedard at 12:22.
Buffalo, however, converted on its own power play. Tage Thompson ripped an 82-mile-per-hour shot from the faceoff circle past Knight to put the Sabres back in front, 2–1.
The score remained that way until 8:22 of the third period, when Nazar scored his second of the game and seventh of the season. He tipped a shot by Sam Rinzel past Lyon to make it 2–2.
Lyon was strong in his comeback, making several point-blank saves, including one on Bedard in the closing seconds of regulation. But in overtime, with time, space and a screen in front, Donato wristed a shot past Lyon for the game-winner.
The Sabres travel to Dallas next to take on the Stars on Saturday night
