The Buffalo Sabres (26-27-4) won their fifth straight road game on Friday night in Columbus, holding off the Blue Jackets (18-28-10) 2-1 at Nationwide Arena.
The game was tied after 40 minutes, but at 3:05 of the third period, Connor Clifton fired a shot from the point that found the back of the net, giving Buffalo the lead and his first goal as a Sabre. Columbus tried to rally back, pulling the goaltender with over three minutes left in regulation, but the Sabres held on.
Zemgus Girgensons also scored for the Sabres, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 25-of-26 shots.
Buffalo went 0-for-4 on the power play and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill.
The Sabres will head home to host the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday at 6 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].