JJ Peterka scored two power-play goals, and defenseman Bowen Byram added two of his own, leading the Buffalo Sabres to a 5-1 win over the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday.
Peterka also recorded an assist, marking his third career three-point game in the NHL. Buffalo’s Tage Thompson scored a goal and assisted on another while firing 11 shots on goal.
Ryan McLeod and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin each registered two assists, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 37 saves to help the Sabres break their three-game losing streak.
Ottawa’s Ridly Greig scored in the second period, and captain Brady Tkachuk had an assist, extending his point streak to five games.
Linus Ullmark made 29 saves for the Senators, who have now lost five of their last six road games (1-5-0).
The Sabres took the lead at 6:37 of the first period when Jason Zucker set up Peterka, who quickly wristed the puck off Ullmark and into the net from along the goal line.
Luukkonen kept Buffalo in front by stopping Noah Gregor on a 2-on-none rush late in the first period after a turnover by Thompson.
Buffalo doubled their lead just 17 seconds into the second period when McLeod made a perfect pass to Byram, who fired a wrist shot past Ullmark.
Greig pulled one back for Ottawa at 7:31 of the second, pushing in his own rebound. However, Buffalo responded with two quick goals early in the third period.
Byram scored just 21 seconds into the third with a shot from near the blue line that got past Ullmark.
Shortly after, Thompson scored in an unusual way—while falling in the crease, the puck bounced off his shoulder and into the net for his team-leading eighth goal of the season.
Peterka added a one-timer from the right circle to seal the win at 12:08 of the third period.