20221105_TBLvBUF - h30280

For the second-straight game, the Lightning were locked in a back-and-forth affair.
The Bolts and Sabres traded tallies all night long on Saturday, with both teams holding leads, but neither able to pull away.
Unlike Tuesday, when a poor third period resulted in a shootout loss to Carolina, it was Tampa Bay that showed moxie in the final 20 minutes, rallying from a goal down for a 5-3 Atlantic Division victory over the Buffalo at AMALIE Arena.

After Jeff Skinner gave the Sabres a 3-2 lead at 4:25 of the third, the Lightning closed the game with three unanswered goals, including the first of Nick Perbix's career to lock down the win.
Nikita Kucherov led all skaters with four points, closely followed by Brandon Hagel who scored a goal and added a pair of assists.
Up next for the Bolts is a matchup against Edmonton on Tuesday in the finale of this four-game homestand.
Scoring Summary
1st Period
TBL 1, BUF 0
7:07 Nick Paul (4) - Victor Hedman, Brandon Hagel
Both Nick Paul and Victor Hedman were listed as questionable coming into the game, but the pair linked up on the game-opening goal seven minutes into the first. After whiffing on a chance at the side of the net, Hedman chased down the loose puck along the far wall and set up Paul for a shot from inside the left circle that beat Eric Comrie.
TBL 1, BUF 1
16:24 Zemgus Girgensons (3) - Owen Power, Tage Thompson
Owen Power's initial shot whistled high of Brian Elliott, but the puck caromed off the glass and bounced back in front. Haydn Fleury wasn't able to control it, and Zemgus Girgensons quickly pounced.
2nd Period
TBL 2, BUF 1
5:05 Brayden Point (6) - Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov - PPG
Just inside the offensive zone, Brayden Point dished to Steven Stamkos and drove to the far post. Stamkos threaded a pass through to a wide-open Point, and all he had to do was tap the puck over the line to put the Bolts back in front with a power play goal.
TBL 2, BUF 2
8:34 Casey Mittelstadt (2) - Owen Power, Kyle Okposo - PPG
The Sabres equalized again with a power play goal of their own at 8:34. Owen fired from the left point, and Casey Mittelstadt got the slightest deflection on the shot to slip the puck past Elliott.
3rd Period
BUF 3, TBL 2
4:25 Jeff Skinner (3) - Alex Tuch, Dylan Cozens
The Lightning lost Jeff Skinner in coverage at the far post and Alex Tuch was able to work him the puck. Skinner cut across the face of goal while protecting the puck from Elliott and scored on his forehand to give Buffalo their first lead of the night.
BUF 3, TBL 3
7:40 Brandon Hagel (4) - Nikita Kucherov
Comrie made a huge save on Brandon Hagel's first shot from point-blank range but was unable to fully control the rebound. The puck just squeaked free from his pad and Hagel buried the rebound chance to tie the game at three.
TBL 4, BUF 3
15:05 Nick Perbix (1) - Nikita Kucherov, Brandon Hagel
Nick Perbix picked a perfect time for his first NHL goal, giving Tampa Bay the lead for good with less than five minutes to play in the third. Nikita Kucherov left a drop feed for the rookie in the high slot, and he ripped a shot past Comrie for a 4-3 advantage.
TBL 5, BUF 3
19:02 Nikita Kucherov (6) - Brayden Point - ENG
Kucherov iced the game inside the final minute of regulation with an empty net goal that capped a four-point night for the winger.