A poster image showing the logos for both the Canucks and the Sabres teams.
The Buffalo Sabres edged the struggling Vancouver Canucks 3-2 on Thursday, thanks to key contributions from Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson, and Zach Benson. The win marks Buffalo’s second straight victory, while Vancouver continues to struggle near the bottom of the standings.
Dahlin and Thompson Spark Buffalo Sabres
Rasmus Dahlin shone with a goal and an assist, setting the tone for Buffalo’s comeback. Tage Thompson also recorded a goal and a helper, keeping the Sabres competitive despite missing offensive standout Alex Tuch due to illness.
Zach Benson added his first goal of the season, netting a crucial power-play strike to give Buffalo the lead. Backup goaltender Alex Lyon stopped 29 of 31 shots, stabilizing the Sabres’ defense.
Canucks’ Late Collapse
Vancouver jumped ahead in the second period, with Max Sasson giving the home team a 2-1 lead six minutes in. However, the Canucks could not hold the advantage, allowing Buffalo to tie and then pull ahead.
The loss highlights Vancouver’s ongoing struggles with third-period comebacks. The Canucks are just 1-13-0 this season when trailing entering the final frame.
Goaltender Returns and Injuries
Thatcher Demko returned from a lower-body injury sustained on November 11, making 12 saves in the game. The Canucks were also missing star center Elias Pettersson, who sat out a second consecutive game due to an upper-body injury.
Buffalo adjusted its lineup with Trevor Kuntar making his NHL debut. Kuntar joined the team one day after signing a one-year, two-way contract, filling in for the absent Tuch.
Key Moments Define the Game
The decisive play came 14:46 into the second period. Zach Benson blasted a shot from above the hash marks on a power play, beating Demko to put Buffalo ahead 3-2.
Earlier, Kiefer Sherwood had snapped a 10-game goal drought, scoring 19:49 into the first period. The winger leads the Canucks in goals with 13 this season, providing a rare bright spot for Vancouver.
Takeaways for Both Teams
For the Sabres, overcoming Tuch’s absence demonstrated depth and resilience. Dahlin and Thompson’s performances underline Buffalo’s continued reliance on their top forwards. Special teams, especially the power play, were decisive in the outcome.
For Vancouver, the game reinforced offensive and defensive challenges. Losing leads in the second period has been a recurring issue, and the team’s inability to mount a third-period comeback remains a critical weakness.
Looking Ahead
Buffalo improves to 13-14-4, hoping to build momentum with a second straight win. The Sabres’ depth players like Benson and Kuntar proved capable in key moments, a positive sign as the season progresses.
Vancouver falls to 11-17-3, still searching for consistency. Injuries to Pettersson and other key players have hampered their offensive production, and struggles in holding leads highlight deeper team concerns.
