National Hockey League
Buffalo 3, Anaheim 1
When: 9:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 15, 2017
Where: Honda Center, Anaheim, California
Referees: Dave Jackson, Chris Rooney
Linesmen: Lonnie Cameron, Andrew Smith
Attendance: 15821

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Benoit Pouliot scored the decisive goal late in the second period, and goaltender Chad Johnson made 25 saves as the Buffalo Sabres beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-1 on Sunday.

Buffalo (1-4-1) earned their first win of the season, outshooting the Ducks 31-26. It was coach Phil Housley's first victory with the club.

The Sabres rebounded from allowing three power-play goals in a 4-2 loss at Los Angeles on Saturday, denying the Ducks in their four man-advantage opportunities.

The Ducks (2-3-1) scored a short-handed goal, their third of the season, but they have yet to score a power-play goal this season.

Buffalo broke a 1-1 tie on Pouliot's first goal at 19:28 of the second period. The puck rolled past the Anaheim defense after a center-ice faceoff. Pouliot forced it to the crease, where it went off an Anaheim player and past goalie John Gibson. The goal originally was credited to Sam Reinhart.

The Sabres added an empty-net goal at 19:36 of the third period, Johan Larsson's first goal of the year.

Buffalo opened the scoring on Justin Bailey's first goal of the season at 1:26 of the first period. Bailey was recalled from AHL Rochester before the game.

Gibson failed to control a loose puck with three Sabres lurking. Larsson and Nathan Beaulieu swiped at it. Bailey took the puck to the right side and stuffed it past the sprawled netminder.

The Ducks tied the game at 15:50 of the second period when Chris Wagner scored his first career short-handed goal. Wagner recovered a loose puck at his blue line and tore down the ice, Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen chasing. Wagner shook off a stick-check, deked forehand to backhand and put the puck between Johnson's arm and body.

Gibson made 28 saves.

NOTES: The Ducks have five players on injured reserve: C Ryan Kesler, RW Ondrej Kase, G Ryan Miller, D Sami Vatanen and D Hampus Lindholm. C Ryan Getzlaf and RW Patrick Eaves are day-to-day with lower-body injuries. ... Anaheim also scratched D Korbinian Holzer. ... The Ducks recalled LW Nic Kerdiles from San Diego (AHL) on Friday, and he played 3:57 on Sunday. ... D Cam Fowler played his 500th NHL game, all with the Ducks. ... The Sabres have three players on IR: D Justin Falk, D Zach Bogosian and LW Evan Rodrigues. ... Buffalo RW Kyle Okposo is day-to-day with the flu. ... The Sabres scratched C Seth Griffith and D Viktor Antipin were scratched.
Top Game Performances
 
Buffalo   Anaheim
Johan Larsson 2 Points Chris Wagner 1
Johan Larsson 1 Goals Chris Wagner 1
Johan Larsson 1 Assists Josh Manson 1
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals Chris Wagner 1
Chad Johnson .962 Save Percentage John Gibson .933
Chad Johnson 25 Saves John Gibson 28
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Buffalo 31 3 0-3 4-4 8 29
Anaheim 26 1 0-4 3-3 6 31
Upcoming Games
  • Anaheim will play their next game at home against Montreal. The Ducks have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .500 after a loss.
  • Buffalo will play their next game on the road against Vegas. The Sabres have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .167 after a loss.