At 9:22 of the middle frame, Sabres captain Brian Gionta deflected a Jake McCabe shot in from in front of Talbot. The goal was reviewed, first for a high-stick, and then was challenged for goaltender interference. The call on the ice stood, and the home team found themselves down two goals again.
Talbot was then pulled in favour of Jonas Gustavsson.
Gustavsson would have a scare with 3:02 remaining in the second. Adam Larsson was defending a 2-on-1 when he skated backwards over the sprawling netminder. Gustavsson appeared to bend his neck on the collision, but was able to stand up on his own and, after being tended to by the team trainer, stayed in the game.
A few moments later, however, Talbot would replace Gustavsson as the goalie carousel continued. Gustavsson would not return to the game or come to the bench for the third.
The Sabres scored just 37 seconds into the third and final frame, as Gionta slipped a shot five-hole on Talbot.
O'Reilly set up another Sabres tally at 4:36 of the third. Matt Moulson finished on the feed from the slot to make it 6-2 and put the game out of reach.
"This is tough," said Larsson. "Letting up six goals tonight, it wasn't good enough in all parts. I think it's up to us players to reload now and really focus on Carolina and the next game. We have to do it quick. That's the charm about this league. There's a quick turnaround. This was not how we wanted this night to end. But it happened and we have to move on and be prepared for next game."
The Oilers (2-1-0) will look to rebound from the loss when they host Carolina on Tuesday, at 7 p.m. MT.
