Buffalo Sabres complete epic comeback in showdown with Tampa Bay Lightning, take over division lead

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning played what some have referred to as the "game of the year" at KeyBank Center on Sunday.

There were five fights, 102 total penalty minutes and 15 goals scored in the game. Buffalo came out on top by a score of 8-7, but that doesn't even begin to tell the story.

The first period was about as chaotic as it could have been. There were 18 penalties called, including multiple fights, but only one goal was scored, and the Sabres took a 1-0 lead into the intermission.

The fighting didn't stop in the first period. There were two more fights to start the second period. One was right off the opening faceoff, and the second right off the ensuing faceoff.

The Sabres then tacked on two more goals and took a 3-0 lead.

Then Tampa Bay got on the board and cut the lead to 3-1, but the Sabres answered right back as Alex Tuch scored shorthanded on a breakaway to take a 4-1 lead.

But then Lightning struck. Tampa Bay scored three in a row and the teams went into the second intermission tied 4-4.

Then Lightning struck again. Tampa Bay scored two quick goals and went up 6-4 early in the third period.

But the Sabres didn't quit. After cutting the lead to 6-5, they cut the lead again to 7-6 and then finally tied it 7-7 after Jason Zucker scored on a breakaway that sent KeyBank Center into a frenzy.

Tampa took a late penalty and the Sabres capitalized. Josh Doan put away a rebound and the Sabres took an 8-7 lead with around five minutes to go.

Buffalo held off a late push from the Lightning to secure an 8-7 win.

"We just knew the momentum swings back and forth that if we just stayed on our toes and kept pushing, kept trying to skate and keep it simple," said forward Jason Zucker. "We knew we were getting pucks behind them, and we were able to capitalize on a few."

"Both teams are still playing for a playoff spot. That's what it was really about," added head coach Lindy Ruff. "We know how tight this conference is, how tight this division is. It's one game at a time, knowing we're looking for a playoff spot."

When first place in the division is on the line, and tensions are already high coming into the game, you would expect some emotions to be on display. But no one could've been prepared for what Sunday night brought.

However, the guys from Western New York withstood the physical test and didn't let the physicality throw them off their game.

"So proud of our team, each individual guy standing up for one another, every scrum was a five-man scrum, no one backing down. We stuck with it," Tuch said afterwards. "Obviously, a hectic game, a lot of emotions, but yeah, just really proud of our group and that was awesome."

Chaos, mayhem, pandemonium, and any other synonym you can think of start to sum up the emotion and intensity inside the KeyBank Center. A feeling this team, this fanbase, and the city have been craving to experience for close to two decades.

“It’s just finally. Finally, we’re here and doing good things so I don’t take this for granted at all. I’m so fired up, I’m so happy for Buffalo, as a city, and for all the fans too. This means the world," Captain Rasmus Dahlin said.

Buffalo stays home for three more games this week, with the next one coming up Tuesday against San Jose.