OTTAWA, ON — Jacob Lucchini’s first NHL goal proved to be the winner in the Ottawa Senators 3-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday night.
The loss snapped the Sabres (18-15-2) six-game winning streak.
Tim Stutzle scored the other two goals for the Senators (17-17-3), while Anton Forsberg was solid making 33 saves.
Zemgus Girgensons scored the lone goal for the Sabres. Craig Anderson stopped 33 shots.
Trailing 2-1 to start the third the Sabres pressed for the equalizer, but Forsberg was up to the challenge. Tage Thompson had a great chance at the halfway mark of the period, but rang a shot off the post.
Stutzle iced the game with an empty-net goal with just over one minute remaining in regulation.
The Sabres took advantage of a bad line change when Mattias Samuelsson made a long pass to Girgensons to send him in alone and he beat Forsberg with a wrist shot to tie the game 1-1.
Midway through the period Lucchini jumped on a loose puck in front and buried his first career NHL goal on the power play to make it 2-1.
In the opening minute of the game Stutzle looked to pass to Brady Tkachuk, but the puck bounced right back in his direction and he quickly beat Anderson just 47 seconds into the game.
The Sabres finished the first with a two-man advantage, but were unable to capitalize and trailed 1-0.
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 01: Buffalo Sabres Right Wing Kyle Okposo (21) battles Ottawa Senators Defenceman Jake Sanderson (85) in front of Goalie Anton Forsberg (31) during first period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on January 1, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 01: Ottawa Senators Defenceman Jake Sanderson (85) closes on the play with Buffalo Sabres Right Wing JJ Peterka (77) behind during first period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on January 1, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 01: Buffalo Sabres Center Dylan Cozens (24) skates in the offensive zone during first period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on January 1, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 01: Ottawa Senators Goalie Anton Forsberg (31) and Defenceman Thomas Chabot (72) celebrate a successful penalty kill during first period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on January 1, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 01: Buffalo Sabres Goalie Craig Anderson (41) passes the puck during second period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on January 1, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 01: Buffalo Sabres Defenceman Mattias Samuelsson (23) fends off Ottawa Senators Left Wing Tim Stutzle (18) during second period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on January 1, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 01: Ottawa Senators Right Wing Drake Batherson (19) skates near Buffalo Sabres Goalie Craig Anderson (41) during second period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on January 1, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 01: Buffalo Sabres Goalie Craig Anderson (41) allows Ottawa Senators Center Jacob Lucchini (36) first career NHL goal during second period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on January 1, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 01: Ottawa Senators Goalie Anton Forsberg (31) makes a save during third period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on January 1, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 01: Ottawa Senators Defenceman Travis Hamonic (23) battles Buffalo Sabres Left Wing Jeff Skinner (53) during third period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on January 1, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
