The Buffalo Sabres suffered their first shutout of the season Thursday night, falling 4-0 to the Dallas Stars at KeyBank Center.
Buffalo entered the matchup looking for a third consecutive victory following comeback wins against Chicago and Minnesota. Instead, the Sabres managed just 26 shots on goal and could not find a way past Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger.
The Stars opened the scoring in the first period when Jason Robertson finished a two-on-one rush set up by Mikko Rantanen. Buffalo remained within one goal until the second period, but the visitors pulled away with three goals to take control.
Sam Steel doubled Dallas’ lead with a long-range shot that slipped past Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Rantanen added another after the puck rebounded off the end boards into the slot, and Roope Hintz capped the second-period surge with a power-play goal.
Luukkonen finished with 14 saves on 18 shots, allowing at least three goals in each of his first three starts this season. Oettinger stopped every shot he faced to record his second consecutive shutout.
Buffalo also continued to struggle on the power play, failing to score on three opportunities. The Sabres have yet to convert with the man advantage through their first four games.
Head coach Lindy Ruff also shuffled his forward combinations before the game, moving Tage Thompson to the wing and placing Jiri Kulich at center alongside Thompson and Peyton Krebs. Thompson returned to center late in the game as Buffalo attempted to spark its offense.
The Sabres will look to rebound Saturday when they host the Utah Mammoth at KeyBank Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.
