The Buffalo Sabres secured their first-ever victory over the Seattle Kraken with a decisive 6-2 win. The game, which took place in Seattle, saw the Sabres demonstrate a strong offensive performance, highlighted by Jeff Skinner's hat trick, bringing his season goal total to 24, including his team-leading 22nd goal. Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch also contributed to the scoring, with Tuch's goal marking his 19th of the season. The Kraken initially took the lead 24 seconds into the game with a goal from Jordan Eberle, but the Sabres quickly responded and dominated the remainder of the match. Goalie Joey Daccord was replaced after allowing three goals in 5:41. Despite the Kraken's early lead, Buffalo's aggressive play and strategic execution led them to outshoot Seattle 18-8 in the third period, with the Sabres leading 3-2 after the first period. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 15 of 17 shots. The victory, marked by Skinner's 7th career hat trick, is part of the Sabres' significant road trip, which will continue in Vancouver.
Skinner gets hat trick in Sabres win against Kraken https://t.co/0NUMojd7nV
SKINNER 🗣️ Jeff Skinner recorded his seventh career hat trick on Monday night! Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUS https://t.co/CZOgeyMyLW
Joey Daccord was chased just six minutes in, and the Kraken capped one of the worst and costliest prolonged homestands in franchise history with a 6-2 loss to the Sabres on Monday night. Via @GeoffBakerTIMES: https://t.co/GWO53Yp3AJ
Jeff Skinner hatty! 🎩 https://t.co/qv60RhknIv
The Sabres get their first ever win against the Seattle Kraken 6-2. Shots in the third were 18-8 Sea.
Congratulations to the Buffalo Sabres for their first win in franchise history against the Kraken
Sabres continue the road trip with a 6-2 win, their first ever victory over the Kraken. On to Vancouver.
#SeaKraken fall 6-2 to Buffalo
What a terrific play by Jacob Bryson to keep the play alive on Jeff Skinner’s hat trick goal,
a Jeff Skinner hatty for Sabres After Dark -- someone's fan fiction just got written
Jeff Skinner hat trick. 6 goals allowed are most by the Kraken since 11/4 vs. Calgary (6-3 loss).
JEFF SKINNER HAT TRICK!!! 🎩🎩🎩 https://t.co/79RcfJxHq8
Hat trick for Jeff Skinner. His 24th goal of the season is a one-timer from the slot. Sabres up 6-2 with 1:58 left in the third period.
Sabres carry a 5-2 lead into the second intermission. If this holds, they'll earn their first win over the Kraken. Luukkonen has stopped 15 of 17 shots through 40 minutes.
A series of clutch saves by Luukkonen late in the PK and after the penalty expired. Sabres still ahead 5-2 with 4:19 left in the second period.
Kraken back to the power play with 13 minutes left in the second period and the Sabres leading 5-2. Jokiharju called for tripping.
Jeff Skinner soarin. Jeff Skinner flyin. https://t.co/osAsWAgJA8
Blink and you miss it. Jeff Skinner makes it 5-2 for Buffalo just 40 seconds later, scoring his second of the game on a snapper through a screen from left circle. Long night for #SEAKraken. #NHL https://t.co/uTfKXGZMws
Skinner walks down the slot for his seconds of the game. Two goals in 42 seconds makes it 5-2 Buff.
Buffalo goes up 4-2. An initial deflected shot rings off post and Owen Power right there with rebound at 10:36 of 2nd. #SEAKraken #NHL https://t.co/qy3DNxeEb4
Jeff Skinner's second goal of the game, and 23rd of the season, makes it 5-2 with 8:42 left in the 2nd period. Kraken let him skate through the left circle, and he beat Grubauer with a quick wrist shot from the left hashmark.
Owen Power gets to a rebound and scores his sixth of the season to add to the Sabres' lead, making it 4-2 with 9:24 left in the second period. Cozens tipped the puck, hitting the post and creating the easy goal for Power.
Top power-play unit was on the ice for only 47 seconds, then the second group committed multiple turnovers. Missed opportunity for the Sabres, but they're still ahead 3-2 with 11:30 left in the 2nd period.
Sabres heading back to the power play with 13:52 left in the second period. Still ahead 3-2. Tolvanen called for holding. Shots are 3-3 so far in the second.
#SeaKraken trail 3-2 after one. The home team seized momentum in the final five minutes after a Beniers power play goal...and boy can you see the swings in control of play in that first 20 minutes. https://t.co/of1dpAZ8xY
Sabres lead 3-2 at the first intermission after they scored three goals in under five minutes. They'll have 90 seconds remaining on their power play at the start of the second period.
Sabres' first power play comes with 29.3 seconds left in the first period, as Tolvanen trips Cozens. Buffalo still leading 3-2.
Some fortunate bounces for #SEAKraken on PP. Goalie loses sight of puck as it lies in crease and Matty Beniers bangs it in to narrow Buffalo lead to 3-2 at 14:36 of 1st. #NHL https://t.co/YEv8g4VOzN
My god, the #SeaKraken are an absolute disaster so far in this one. What the heck happened to them since January? #Sabres boatracing them since that first goal.
Sabres have outshot the Kraken 9-2 and lead 3-1 through 7:49 in the first period. Breaking Seattle's pressure and finding more space in the offensive zone than we've seen in previous matchups between these two teams.
And it’s 3-1 and Daccord is done. Third goal also very stoppable as had clean look at high slot shot by Alex Tuch at 5:41. Grubauer now in goal. #SEAKraken #NHL https://t.co/9eIUj7xCWI
The Kraken score within 25 seconds to start the game, and within about 5 minutes, it’s a candidate for their worst game of the year. Wow.
Thompson finds Tuch in the middle, 3-1 Buff. And Daccord leaves after giving up three goals in 5:41.
Alex Tuch gets open in the slot, collects a pass from Tage Thompson and beats Daccord to put the Sabres ahead 3-1 with 14:19 left in the 1st period. Tuch's 19th goal of the season. Exceptional pass by Thompson. Grubauer is replacing Daccord.
Make it 2-1 Buffalo. Jeff Skinner on another stoppable shot on Daccord at 3:56. 2 goals allowed on 4 shots by Daccord. Worst he’s looked this season so far. #SEAKraken #NHL https://t.co/9ZRDuEHbhe
Skinner left circle, short side goal, 2-1 Buff. Daccord should've had both Sabres goals.
Jeff Skinner fires a wrist shot from the left circle that beats Daccord short side. Sabres take a 2-1 lead with 16:04 left in the 1st period. Skinner's team-leading 22nd goal of the season.
Want the good news or the bad news Kraken fans? The good news is #SEAKraken opened scoring 24 seconds in on a Jordan Eberle goal. Bad news is Tage Thompson scores to tie it on Buffalo’s first shot just 25 seconds later. #NHL https://t.co/bzPIwAAHUo
Unbelievable, it took 24 seconds for Eberle to get wide open in the slot, 1-0, but Thompson gets it back 25 seconds later, 1-1.
Tage Thompson needed only 25 seconds to answer for the Sabres. Beat Daccord with a quick wrist shot from the right shot. It's already 1-1 with 19:11 left in the 1st period.
Kraken take a 1-0 lead only 24 seconds into the game. Jordan Eberle from the slot.
Is tonight the night? The night in which the Sabres earn their first win against the Seattle Kraken?
Sabres in Seattle tonight and here tomorrow to face #Canucks https://t.co/kivueAMRHl
Greetings from Seattle 👋🏼 The Sabres will hold their morning skate here at 2 p.m., ET. Game tonight vs. the Kraken. https://t.co/ZuQk0Gzrx1
A look ahead to the rest of the Sabres’ “big trip” through Seattle, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary. Buffalo set to practice today in Seattle. https://t.co/9EkTn7CY4B