Skinner scores twice, Sabres end Predators five-game winning streak

NASHVILLE -- Jeff Skinner scored two goals and the Buffalo Sabres won for the first time in seven games, 4-1 against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday.

Skinner's goals gave him 500 NHL points (278 goals, 222 assists) in 807 games. Aaron Dell made 29 saves in his first win for the Sabres (11-19-6), playing in his eighth game this season. Buffalo's last win had come Dec. 16, a 3-2 shootout against the Minnesota Wild.
"Our guys deserved to win," Sabres coach Don Granato said. "They worked for it. They earned it from the first drop of the puck all the way to the end."

Juuse Saros made 17 saves and Matt Duchene scored for the Predators (24-12-2), whose winning streak ended at five games. The Predators had gone 12-1-1 in their previous 14 games.
"Definitely not our best game," Predators captain Roman Josi said. "I think we came out kind of flat, didn't have a good first period. They were just faster. They were quicker on pucks and outbattled us. I thought we played a little better in the second, but just overall, we didn't have enough pressure. We didn't have enough zone time in their end."
Dell had been recalled Wednesday from Rochester of the American Hockey League after goalies Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body) and Malcolm Subban (upper body) were injured in a 6-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. Dustin Tokarski is in COVID-19 protocol.
It was Dell's first NHL win since April 8, 2021 with the New Jersey Devils against Buffalo.
"He has struggled with us this year, Aaron," Granato said. "I was able to go see him in Rochester last week. Last Friday, he looked like a different guy. He's worked to be that. It was great to see him win tonight."
Mark Jankowski scored at 14:30 of the first period to make it 1-0 Sabres. It was his first goal with Buffalo. Mark Pysyk's shot from the point deflected off Jankowski on the way to Saros. When Nashville defenseman Matt Benning tried to clear the puck from the crease, it bounced off Saros' pads and in.
Duchene tied it 1-1 at 13:12 of the second period, scoring his third power play goal in two games. He slapped a bouncing puck in the slot, after Dell stopped a shot from Josi. Duchene extended his point streak to four games (four goals, one assist).
"Buffalo was the better team," Predators coach John Hynes said. "They were faster, they were harder, and they were more competitive. They executed with the puck better. They were the better team tonight."

Skinner made it 2-1 at 18:18 of the second period with his 12th goal of the season. It came on the power play, after Skinner settled the rebound of Dylan Cozens' shot.
Skinner scored his second goal at 7:59 of the third period, making it 3-1 on a breakaway after Josi and Philippe Myers became tangled at center ice.
"It's cool," Skinner said of reaching 500 points. "It's like a round number, so it's nice obviously."
Vinnie Hinostroza scored an empty-net goal at 18:46 to make it 4-1.
"Big team win," Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin said. "We competed hard today. It gives us confidence that we can beat Nashville, who is a really good team."
NOTES: Dahlin and Saros were named to the 2022 Honda NHL All-Star Game. ... Sabres defenseman Robert Hagg returned after missing seven games with a lower-body injury and had an assist. … Sabres forwards Alex Tuch and Kyle Okposo returned from COVID-19 protocol, and each had an assist. ... Forward Brett Murray was reassigned to the Sabres taxi squad and forward Jack Quinn and defenseman Casey Fitzgerald were reassigned to Rochester. … Buffalo signed goalie Michael Houser to a one-year contract. … Hynes said defenseman Mark Borowiecki is day to day after sustaining a lower-body injury in Tuesday's win against Colorado. ... The Predators recalled forwards Matt Luff and Cole Smith from the taxi squad and forward Cody Glass from Milwaukee of the AHL to the taxi squad.