At the Horn | Devils 3 - Sabres 1

Despite Devon Levi’s 34 saves, two third-period goals led the New Jersey Devils to a 3-1 win against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, sweeping the Global Series at O2 Arena in Prague, Czechia.

Tage Thompson recorded his first goal of the season in the loss, with Alex Tuch and Jordan Greenway assisting on the goal.

Seamus Casey, Paul Cotter and Timo Meier all scored for the Devils, while Jake Allen made 18 saves on 19 shots through 60 minutes of play.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Period 1

Levi made 12 saves, six of which came during a three-minute span in the back half of the period. That tally included a glove save on an attempt by Jesper Bratt from the slot.

After New Jersey controlled the front half of the period, a fight between Alex Tuch and Brenden Dillon in retaliation for an open-ice hit by Dillon on JJ Peterka changed the tide. The Sabres generated sustained pressure in the offensive zone for the rest of the period, building off the finish to Friday’s game.

Period 2

Levi continued his strong performance in goal, recording 15 saves in the second period - none bigger than his stop on an odd-man attempt from Jack Hughes, which preceded a Sabres goal.

Following the save on Hughes, the Sabres went on the attack. Tuch fired a shot from the right faceoff circle that went off Jake Allen’s pad to Jordan Greenway. Greenway’s shot on the rebound stayed in the crease long enough for Thompson to jam it in for the game’s opening goal at the 11:38 mark.

Two minutes later, Thompson found himself in the penalty box after getting called for goalie interference during another scrum near the goal. Seamus Casey scored from the top of the left faceoff circle to even the game.

Period 3

A broken play for the Sabres led to a 2-on-1 for the Devils with Hughes and Cotter on the attack. Cotter's goal put New Jersey in front with just less than 13 minutes remaining in the game.

The Devils doubled their lead seven minutes later after Bratt dumped a pass off to Meier who had an open look at the net.

The Sabres nearly cut the deficit to one, with a shot by Tuch that rang off of the right post. Levi was lifted for the extra-attacker, but to no avail, and the Devils would go on to win 3-1.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

POSTGAME COMMENTS

GAME PHOTOS

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UP NEXT

The Sabres will return to Buffalo tonight. The team will practice this week in preparation for their home opener on Thursday, Oct. 10 against the Los Angeles Kings at KeyBank Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm. Tickets are available here.