Detroit Red Wings at Buffalo Sabres March 12 2024 Game Recap
| 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Buffalo Sabres | 4 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
The Buffalo Sabres demonstrated an impressive performance against Detroit Red Wings on March 12, 2024. The game ended with a significant 7-3 win for the Sabres, marking their seventh win in the previous 11 games.
Bowen Byram, a recent addition to the Sabres lineup following a trade with the Colorado Avalanche, stole the limelight with his exceptional play. Byram scored two goals for the Sabres and now has a total of four points in three games since his arrival in Buffalo.
Alongside Byram, Zach Benson also had a notable game with a goal and two assists. Jordan Greenway and Tage Thompson each contributed with two assists. Sabres’ goaltender, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, made 21 saves, demonstrating his skills at the net.
The Red Wings, on the other hand, had a challenging game. Lucas Raymond managed to score a goal and an assist, but the team ultimately suffered their sixth consecutive loss. Their goaltender, Alex Lyon, allowed four goals on 14 shots before being replaced by James Reimer, who made 23 saves.
The Sabres took the lead early in the first period when Alex Tuch outpaced the Red Wings’ defenseman Ben Chiarot to a loose puck, driving to the net and slipping a backhand five-hole on Lyon.
The Sabres’ lead was further increased by Byram, who converted on the rebound of a Benson shot. However, Chiarot managed to cut the lead to 2-1 when he scored on a seam pass from Raymond.
Benson then pushed the score to 3-1 with a snap shot from the right circle. Jeff Skinner extended the lead to 4-1, forcing Lyon to be pulled after the goal.
Connor Clifton extended the Sabres’ lead to 5-1 in the second period with a one-timer off a pass from Thompson. Byram further increased the lead to 6-1 when he pushed in the rebound of a Thompson shot at the front of the net.
JJ Peterka scored the seventh goal for the Sabres, intercepting a pass attempt in the neutral zone and shooting to the far corner from the left circle.
Byram is the first defenseman in Sabres history to score at least three goals in his first three games with the team. He is the 20th defenseman in NHL history to achieve this with his new team and is the first to do it since Kurtis Foster with the Minnesota Wild in 2005.
Benson is the fourth 18-year-old in Buffalo history with at least three points in a game, joining Phil Housley, Pierre Turgeon, and Rasmus Dahlin.
Despite the loss, the Red Wings are looking ahead to their next game and are determined to return stronger. Red Wings forward Joe Veleno left early in the second period after he was hit by a shot by Clifton. However, coach Lalonde mentioned that Veleno “seemed fine, but he’ll see a doctor in the morning. Hopefully, he will be available for Thursday (against the Arizona Coyotes).”
Photos: Luke Durda – In Play! magazine
