Final Score Recap – Buffalo Sabres vs. Vancouver Canucks – November 29, 2024
Final Score:
- Vancouver Canucks: 4
- Buffalo Sabres: 3 (OT)
Key Game Statistics
Shots on Goal:
- Vancouver Canucks: 22
- Buffalo Sabres: 34
Power Play Performance:
- Vancouver Canucks Power Play Goals: 1 out of 4 opportunities
- Buffalo Sabres Power Play Goals: 0 out of 5 opportunities
Sabres Rally Falls Short in OT Loss to Canucks
The Buffalo Sabres put up a spirited effort but fell 4-3 in overtime to the Vancouver Canucks in a game marked by penalties, momentum swings, and a hard-fought comeback. Despite outshooting Vancouver 34-22 and winning the faceoff battle with 51.8% efficiency, Buffalo’s struggles on the power play and costly mistakes proved to be the difference.
The Sabres started strong, taking a 1-0 lead late in the first period when rookie Zach Benson displayed incredible poise, setting up Bowen Byram for his fourth goal of the season. Buffalo carried that momentum through much of the second period, outshooting Vancouver early, but the Canucks found an equalizer late when Jake DeBrusk buried a rebound to tie the game at 1-1 heading into the third.
The final period was a rollercoaster for Buffalo. Dylan Cozens took a pair of penalties, including an unsportsmanlike conduct call, which led to a four-minute power play for Vancouver. Conor Garland capitalized with his seventh goal of the season to give the Canucks the lead. Minutes later, Garland’s defensive effort—blocking a Tage Thompson slapshot—created a neutral zone turnover that set up Pius Suter on a breakaway. Suter seized the opportunity, scoring to extend the Canucks’ lead to 3-1.
Buffalo rallied back, with Cozens redeeming himself by scoring a beautiful wrist shot to make it 3-2. Alex Tuch then deflected a Zach Benson shot into the net to tie the game at 3-3, sending it to overtime. However, Garland struck again in the extra frame, scoring his second goal of the night to secure the 4-3 win for Vancouver. The Sabres went 0-for-5 on the power play, underscoring their struggles with special teams in a game where they otherwise controlled much of the play.
Sabres vs. Vancouver Canucks: Period-by-Period Breakdown:
Benson’s Patience Sparks Sabres to Early Lead Against Canucks
The Buffalo Sabres capped off a strong first period with a late goal to take a 1-0 lead over the Vancouver Canucks heading into intermission.
The Sabres’ top line set the tone early, with Tage Thompson generating a quality scoring chance that was denied by the Canucks’ goaltender. Buffalo’s defense also stepped up, delivering key blocked shots to stifle Vancouver’s attack. The Sabres outshot the Canucks 8-6 in the period and maintained an even 50% success rate in the faceoff circle.
The breakthrough came late in the period when rookie forward Zach Benson showcased incredible patience, setting up Bowen Byram for his fourth goal of the season. Benson’s heads-up play energized the Sabres and put them on the board just in time for the first intermission.
Buffalo had one power-play opportunity in the period but couldn’t capitalize. However, their late surge and disciplined play left them in control as they looked to build on the lead in the second.
Sabres vs. Vancouver Canucks: First-Period Goals and Penalties
Canucks Goals: None
Sabres Goals:
- Bowen Byram (4)
Assists: Z. Benson (2), D. Cozens (5)
First Period Penalties:
- 07:29 – Canucks: Erik Brannstrom Hooking against Jack Quinn
DeBrusk’s Late Equalizer Sets Up Third-Period Showdown
The Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks battled to a stalemate in a tightly contested second period, leaving the game tied 1-1 heading into the final frame.
The Canucks gained the edge in shots during the second period, outshooting the Sabres 9-7 and taking a 15-14 advantage overall. Additionally, Vancouver built momentum in the faceoff circle, flipping the script to hold a 56.7% to 43.3% lead in that category.
Special teams played a significant role in the period, as each team had two power-play opportunities. Despite some dangerous looks on both sides, neither team could capitalize, and the Canucks will carry 1:09 of power-play time into the third.
The lone goal of the period came late, when Vancouver forward Jake DeBrusk capitalized on a rebound to score his seventh goal of the season, tying the game at 1-1. The Canucks’ timely strike shifted the energy heading into what promises to be an intense final 20 minutes.
Sabres vs. Vancouver Canucks: Second-Period Goals and Penalties
Canucks Goals:
- Jake DeBrusk (7)
Assists: P. Suter (5), B. Boeser (6)
Sabres Goals: None
Second Period Penalties:
- 05:14 – Canucks: Kiefer Sherwood Tripping against Beck Malenstyn
- 09:41 – Sabres: Jiri Kulich Roughing against Erik Brannstrom
- 15:06 – Canucks: Vincent Desharnais High-sticking against Alex Tuch
- 19:09 – Sabres: Owen Power Interference against Danton Heinen
Sabres Rally Falls Short as Garland Lifts Canucks to OT Victory
The Buffalo Sabres endured a rollercoaster third period before falling 4-3 in overtime to the Vancouver Canucks, with Conor Garland delivering the game-winning goal and completing a dominant performance.
The third period began with a costly series of penalties by Dylan Cozens, including an unsportsmanlike conduct infraction that handed the Canucks a four-minute power play. Vancouver capitalized, as Conor Garland buried his seventh goal of the season to give the Canucks a 2-1 lead. Moments later, Garland made another critical play, blocking a Tage Thompson slapshot that led to a breakaway for Pius Suter, who extended the Canucks’ lead to 3-1.
Despite the setbacks, the Sabres showed resilience. Cozens redeemed himself midway through the period with a perfectly placed wrist shot, his fifth of the season, cutting the deficit to 3-2. Just 1:39 later, Alex Tuch deflected a Zach Benson shot into the net for his eighth goal, tying the game at three and sending the contest to overtime.
In the extra frame, Vancouver controlled much of the play and eventually sealed the win at the 3:59 mark, with Garland scoring his second goal of the game and eighth of the season. The Sabres had their chance when Tage Thompson broke in alone on the Canucks’ goaltender, but he couldn’t convert.
While the Sabres showed heart in their comeback, their penalties and missed opportunities ultimately cost them a thrilling yet frustrating overtime loss.
Sabres vs. Vancouver Canucks: Third-Period/Overtime Goals and Penalties
Canucks Goals:
- Conor Garland (7) PPG
Assists: B. Boeser (7), Q. Hughes (19) - Pius Suter (8)
Assists: C. Garland (13) - Conor Garland (8) Overtime Winner
Assists: Q. Hughes (20), E. Pettersson (11)
Sabres Goals:
- Dylan Cozens (5)
Assists: C. Clifton (4) - Alex Tuch (8)
Assists: D. Cozens (5), Z. Benson (3)
Third Period Penalties:
- 01:05 – Canucks: Elias Pettersson Cross-checking against Beck Malenstyn
- 04:23 – Sabres: Dylan Cozens Holding against Jake DeBrusk
- 04:23 – Sabres: Dylan Cozens Unsportsmanlike conduct
- 15:46 – Canucks: Teddy Blueger Interference against Bowen Byram
Three Stars of the Game
1. Conor Garland – G: 2 | A: 1 | P: 3
Garland was the clear standout, playing a pivotal role in the Canucks’ victory. His two goals and an assist powered Vancouver’s offense, including the game-winning tally in overtime. Garland’s first goal came on the power play, breaking a 1-1 tie in the third period. Moments later, his shot block led to Pius Suter’s breakaway goal, showcasing his two-way impact. Garland’s ability to come through in clutch moments, including his decisive OT goal, made him the most influential player on the ice.
2. Brock Boeser – G: 0 | A: 2 | P: 2
Boeser’s playmaking skills were on full display, as he recorded two assists and set up critical scoring opportunities for the Canucks. His crisp passing and ability to create space helped fuel Vancouver’s offensive surge, particularly during the power play and transition plays. Though he didn’t find the back of the net himself, his contributions were instrumental in setting up Garland and DeBrusk for key goals, earning him a well-deserved spot among the game’s top performers.
3. Dylan Cozens – G: 1 | A: 1 | P: 2
Despite a rocky start to the third period with a costly unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, Cozens redeemed himself with an impressive offensive performance. He scored a beautiful wrist-shot goal to spark the Sabres’ comeback and added an assist on Alex Tuch’s game-tying goal. Cozens’ resilience and ability to make an impact in crucial moments highlighted his importance to Buffalo’s effort, even in a losing cause.
Condensed Game Highlights
Next Game: Sabres vs. New York Islanders
The Buffalo Sabres will look to bounce back quickly as they head to Long Island for a matchup against the New York Islanders on Thursday night, with puck drop set for 7:30 PM. The Islanders, who are coming off a 5-4 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals earlier today, sit at 8-10-6 on the season and trail Buffalo by two points in the Eastern Conference standings. While the Sabres hold a game in hand, this divisional showdown carries significant weight as both teams aim to climb the standings. The Sabres will need to bring their best effort on the road against an Islanders squad eager to rebound on home ice.
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