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Story by Alan Snel Photos by Hugh Byrne
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — The Buffalo Sabres are the real deal. They came skating into Las Vegas with the NHL’s fifth highest point total even if former Vegas Golden Knights Misfit Alex Tuch was out of action for Buffalo.
After two periods, the Sabres held a slim 1-0 lead over the VGK, with Buffalo goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopping all 19 Vegas shots on goal at the time.
VGK goalie Adin Hill misplayed a puck at the side of his net late in the first period and the Sabres cashed in on the flub with a goal by Josh Doan, his 22nd goal of the season, an impressive goal-scoring touch for a third line winger.
Vegas pulled Hill with about 90 seconds left, but the 6-on-5 could not knot the game and the Sabres sealed the deal with an empty-netter.
Just the facts: Buffalo Sabres 2 Vegas Golden Knights 0
VGK goal scorers: none
VGK’s Mitch Marner, postgame: “We knew it would be a hard game.”
VGK coach Bruce Cassidy postgame quote: “We have to be the ones making the difference.”
Attendance: 17,844
VGK standings: 31-23-14 for 76 points and third in the division behind Anaheim and Edmonton. Vegas’ modest two-game winning streak ends.
Vegas’ next game: Thursday against Utah.
PSA