The Sabres began with a quick goal a few minutes into the first period, but the Avalanche responded less than a minute later with a goal from Nathan MacKinnon.
The Avalanche took the first lead with a goal from J.T. Compher in the middle of the first period. The Sabres responded to tie the game just over a minute later and the Avalanche took the lead right back 30 seconds later with a goal from a turnover by Nazem Kadri.
The Sabres tallied the only goal of the second period, a hat trick for Tage Thompson.
The Avalanche finished the scoring with the game winning goal from Alex Newhook in the third period and an extra from Mikko Rantanen on an empty net.
THE GOALS
1st Period
2:50 BUF (0-1) - Tage Thompson made a quick and short shot from the left circle that just made it past Darcy Kuemper.
3:35 COL (1-1) - Nathan MacKinnon landed a shot from the bottom of the left circle as he floated backwards towards the goal line.
11:18 COL (2-1) - J.T. Compher stayed with the puck as it came into zone, he gained control and attempted a shot. The puck rebounded up and Compher poked the puck into the net to secure the goal.
12:42 BUF (2-2) - Jeff Skinner passed the puck from the goal line to an open Tage Thompson in the slot who landed his shot.
13:02 COL (3-2) - Surrounded by Sabres, Valeri Nichushkin gained the puck from a turnover, gave the puck a backwards pass and Nazem Kadri took a quick shot from the right side that went blocker side top shelf.
2nd Period
12:54 BUF (3-3) - Tage Thompson gained control of the puck in front of the net, took the puck on a 180 turn and fired a shot for the goal.
3rd Period
8:37 COL (4-3) - Mikko Rantanen fired a cross ice pass, Alex Newhook caught the puck and gave a redirected shot to get the puck in the net.
19:08 COL (5-3) - ENG From a turnover near the blue line, Mikko Rantanen grabbed the puck and walked it in an empty net.
Final: Avalanche 5, Sabres 3
3 STARS
POWER PLAYS
Colorado: 0/2
Buffalo: 0/1
GOALTENDING BATTLE
Colorado: Darcy Kuemper allowed 3 goals on 27 shots.
Buffalo: Dustin Tokarski allowed 4 goals on 35 shots.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
Cale Makar tallied his 50th point of the season with his assist in the first period, this ties his career high set during the 2019-2020 season.
NOTEBOOK
The Colorado Avalanche have won seven straight against the Buffalo Sabres and holds a 18-3-0 record in the last 21 games with the Sabres. The Avalanche holds a 4-0 record on day games so far this season, extending the team's season high road win streak to seven games. Before today's contest, the Avalanche allowed three goals or less in 12 of the last 14 games, two goals or less in nine of the last 14 games and one goal or less in seven of the last 14 games.
On this day in Avalanche history (Feb. 19, 1996) - Patrick Roy secured his 300th career NHL win as the Avs beat the Edmonton Oliers 7-5, this made Roy the 12th goalie and second youngest to reach 300 wins in NHL history.
ROSTER REPORT
Nothing new to report.
INJURY UPDATE
Jacob MacDonald remains out with an upper-body injury he sustained on Dec. 12, but has been present for recent practices. Stefan Matteau is expected to be out for a few more weeks while he rehabs a lower-body injury from October 2021.
UP NEXT
The Colorado Avalanche continue the road trip in Boston to face the Bruins on Monday Feb. 21.
LINE COMBINATIONS
Based on the start of the game
Forwards
92 Landeskog - 29 MacKinnon - 96 Rantanen
13 Nichushkin - 91 Kadri - 95 Burakovsky
37 Compher - 17 Jost - 16 Aube-Kubel
43 Helm - 18 Newhook - 25 O'Connor
Defensemen
7 Toews - 8 Makar
3 J. Johnson - 49 Girard
28 Murray - 6 E. Johnson
Goaltenders
35 Kuemper
39 Francouz
