Buffalo Sabres vs Detroit Red Wings: can Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin answer Detroit’s 3-goal first period at KeyBank Center?

The Buffalo Sabres entered 44-21 with 96 points while the Detroit Red Wings arrived 39-25 with 86 points, and Detroit left KeyBank Center with a 5-2 result. The Buffalo Sabres vs Detroit Red Wings final score reflected Detroit’s 3-0 edge after the first period and the Sabres’ 2-goal even-strength response later.

First period

The Red Wings struck for 3 goals in the opening period while the Sabres finished the period with 0 goals. Detroit produced 20 shots in the game and 11 hits, and Buffalo countered with 30 shots and 27 hits at KeyBank Center. The Wings also won 24 of 43 faceoffs for a 56 faceoff win percent, while Buffalo won 19 faceoffs for 44 percent.

Second period

The Sabres scored 1 goal in the second period as Buffalo’s even-strength group accounted for 2 goals on 25 even-strength shots. Tage Thompson led the Swords with 4 shots and scored Buffalo’s goal from the forward group in the previous game. Bowen Byram recorded 1 assist in the previous game, and Buffalo finished with 18 giveaways and 6 takeaways as the puck game stayed even on the turnover sheet.

Third period

The Blue and Gold added 1 goal in the third period, and Rasmus Dahlin’s previous-game line included 1 goal on 2 shots. Detroit added 2 goals in the third period, including 1 empty-net goal, and the Winged Wheel finished with 2 power-play goals on 7 power-play shots. The Sabres went 0-for-3 on the power play with 4 shots, and Buffalo’s penalty kill faced 6 Detroit opportunities while allowing 2 goals.

Goaltending and game notes

Alex Lyon finished with 15 saves on 19 shots in the previous game as Detroit generated a 25 shooting percent mark on 20 shots. John Gibson earned the win for Detroit with 28 saves on 30 shots as Buffalo ended at 7 shooting percent on 30 shots. Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, and John Gibson were named the game’s 3 stars for Detroit, and Buffalo Sabres post-game interviews followed a night where the Sabres recorded 17 blocked shot attempts.

What comes next

Post-game thoughts Buffalo Sabres will turn toward the next home date at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, where the Seattle Kraken visit the Sabres on 3/28/2026 at 5:30 PM EDT. Fans can watch on ESPN+, MSG-B, KHN, KONG, and Amazon Prime Video, and Buffalo Sabres vs Detroit Red Wings final thoughts will linger from a game where Buffalo’s 27 hits met Detroit’s special-teams scoring. Keep it locked in for the next recap, and share this article with other Sabres fans.