Sabres Finally Solve Seattle this Season, Back in the Win Column

Score: Buffalo Sabres 3-2 Seattle Kraken SO
Shots: BUF 36-34 SEA

Buffalo Sabres Goals: Dahlin 17th PPG (Thompson, Quinn) Krebs 10th (Benson) (Thompson and Quinn in the SO)
Seattle Kraken: Stephenson (Kakko, McMann) McMann 26th (Kakko, Stephenson)

Minus 1: Big Turnover, Still Taking Penalties

Buffalo got an early power play when Seattle was called for hooking. The Sabres came out shooting instead of the old, tired pass happy attack. That was refreshing to see as they built up a 7-1 shot advantage with the extra man. Goaltender Philipp Grubauer and the Kraken penalty kill was up to the challenge. The Sabres returned the penalty kill favor when Alex Tuch went off tripping. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made two nice stops for Buffalo but Seattle’s best chance was fired high over the net.

The penalty parade continued when Rasmus Dahlin was called for interference. Thankfully, the PK held strong again. But not long after, Bo Byram turned the puck over as he attempted to clear his own zone. Seattle jumped all over it as the Sabres were caught out of position. A couple of quick passes and Chandler Stephenson scored his 15th of the season to give the Kraken the lead.

Buffalo had a strong first 5 minutes but slipped back into areas of concern from the last three games after that. Turnovers and taking needless penalties has been an issue. The Sabres got off their game and found themselves down 1-0 after one. Shots were 11-10 in favor of the Kraken after Buffalo had an 8-1 lead at one point.

Mar 28, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Conor Timmins (21) and Seattle Kraken center Ben Meyers (59) go after a loose puck during the first period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Even 1: Frustration, More Frustration, Goose Egg “Kraked”

The second period started with solid saves from both Luukkonen and Grubauer, keeping it a one goal game. Tage Thompson had a great look from 25 feet out but Grubauer flashed the glove on him. The Sabres had 7 shots in the first 5 minutes of the second period but were getting goalied. They weren’t getting any traffic or tipped pucks and the Seattle netminder made all the saves he could see.

Buffalo just couldn’t stay out of the box with Dahlin taking his second penalty of the game. Luukkonen came up big twice and it was killed off. The Sabres sure like playing with fire. Zach Benson got a good chance the other way soon after but was foiled by Grubauer. The teams traded chances after that, with sustained pressure at both ends. Buffalo thought they finally broke through when a shot by Sam Carrick went off both goalposts. They just can’t buy a break right now. Things really went from bad to worse when Bobby McMann put the Kraken up 2-0. The Seattle forward just powered his way past Dahlin (who fell down) along the wall and beat Luukkonen to deflate the spirits of the fans. The collective sigh could be heard throughout the building.

Rasmus got that one back though when his power play goal pulled Buffalo back within one. His blast from the point found twine and was the 100th goal of his career. It was also a huge tally late in the period to keep the team close. The crowd errupted and were back into the game. Tage Thompson and Jack Quinn picked up the assists on Dahlin’s 17th of the season. The Sabres has a whopping 17 shots in the period and Seattle had 14.

Plus 1: Sabres Resurface and Sink Seattle

The third period started with much more nuetral zone play than the first two periods. The chances were thinned out for both teams. About six minutes in, things started to open up. Luukkonen made a nice save on a 3 on 2 break and Buffalo started getting better zone time. On a rush up ice, Logan Stanley of all players skated in, cut to the net for a good chance but got pushed hard into Grubauer. NHL refereeing being what it is, Stanley was called for the penalty. Seattle got their forth opportunity with the man advantage. The Sabres had a strong kill though and the score remained 2-1.

That PK stop was BIG as soon after, Buffalo would cash in to tie the game. Zach Benson grabbed a fumbled puck near the blue line and made a sweet dish to Peyton Krebs. Krebbsie found himself on a brief 2 on 1 but made the wise decision to just shoot the puck. He fired it past Grubauer on the glove side for his 10th of the year. Down 2-0, the Sabres came all the way back when they looked doomed to lose another one. Buffalo then got a great opportunity on the power play on a delay of game call soon after. But too much passing, not enough shooting crushed that tin can. Both teams held on defensively until the final horn and to OT we go.

Seattle had the majority of possession in the extra frame and they were content to regroup, change players and keep the tired Sabres on the ice. They were unable to register a shot though as Buffalo got the only 2 scoring chances. Neither team could get a goal in the extra session so it’s on to the dreaded shootout. Thankfully for the team and the fans, the Sabres would settle things in short order. Thompson scored first, then Seattle was stopped by UPL. Next up, Quinn would score on a sweet deek as he fell to the ice to put Buffalo up 2-0. Things were looking good. Luukkonen shut the door one more time on the Kraken’s last opportunity to stay alive and things went from good to great. The Sabres win a hard fought, frustrating game that may have drained them down to 2 percent battery. It was rough, tough and fast paced at times. But Buffalo pulled it out and ended the three game winless streak. It was a much, much needed victory. They also move two points up on Tampa again who briefly tied them earlier in the day. (The Lightning have two games in hand though)

Final Thoughs:

The Sabres finally got some solid goaltending again as Luukkonen was dialed in all game. He stopped 32 shots and kept the Sabres in it when they were down 2-0. Hats off to both goaltenders who put on a show.

After just one win against Seattle in their first 8 matchups, (how does that even happen?) the Sabres swept the season series from the Kraken this year. Buffalo now “improves” to 3-7 all time versus soggy Seattle. It was Buffalo’s first ever HOME win over the Kraken.

The Sabres now have a few days off and will close out the homestand against the New York Islanders on Tuesday, March 31st at 7pm.

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