The Red Wings are halfway through the exhibition season — and all even in their record.
Playing their third game in three days Saturday in Buffalo, the Wings (2-2) fell 5-2 to the Sabres.
Leading 3-2 the Sabres pulled away when Tage Thompson scored a power-play goal only 37 seconds into the third period. It was Thompson’s second goal, having given Buffalo a 3-1 lead just 14 seconds into the second period. Oxford’s Josh Norris assisted on both Thompson goals and scored an empty net goal with 14 seconds left in the game.
Patrick Kane and Marco Kasper scored for the Wings, with Alex DeBrincat assisting on both goals. Goaltender Sebastian Cossa stopped 16 of 20 shots.
The Wings outshot Buffalo 28-21.
BOX SCORE: Sabres 5, Red Wings 2
Buffalo jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Rasmus Dahlin and Radim Mrtka in the first period before Kane sliced the lead at 18:27.
Thompson’s goal restored the two-goal lead for Buffalo before Kasper put back a rebound past former Wings goaltender Alex Lyon (26 saves) at 13:36 of the second period.
The Wings continue the preseason Monday, hosting Pittsburgh.
tkulfan@detroitnews.com
@tkulfan
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