Toews scores in overtime, Avalanche overcome 3-goal deficit to beat Sabres 6-5
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, right, drives past Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram in the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Denver. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski
DENVER — Devon Toews scored 48 seconds into overtime and the Colorado Avalanche overcame a three-goal deficit to beat the Buffalo Sabres 6-5 on Thursday night and extend their winning streak to six games.
After trailing 3-0 in the second period, the Avalanche regrouped and tied it with eight seconds remaining on a shot from Jonathan Drouin. That set the stage for Toews, who stole the puck and scored on a breakaway.
It was the second time this season the Sabres blew a multi-goal lead against Colorado. The Avalanche came back from a 4-0 deficit for a 5-4 victory Dec. 3 in Buffalo.
Cale Makar had two goals, while Ross Colton and Mikko Rantanen also scored.
Jason Zucker scored three times for Buffalo and Bowen Byram added a goal against his former team. Zach Benson knocked in a contentious goal in the third period after being pushed into Scott Wedgewood and landing on the goaltender's right leg. Benson got back up, gained possession of the puck and scored as Wedgewood remained down on the ice. It gave the Sabres a 4-2 lead.
Wedgewood was helped to the bench as tempers flared. Wedgewood was replaced by Mackenzie Blackwood.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 23 saves.
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen looks to make a glove save in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Denver. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski
Takeaways
Sabres: Byram scored in his return to Denver. Colorado’s fourth overall pick in 2019, he was traded to Buffalo last March.
Avalanche: The top line was juggled around with Valeri Nichushkin sidelined by a lower-body injury. Rantanen took Nichushkin's place next to Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen.
Key moment
The Sabres challenged MacKinnon's goal in the second period for offsides. After an official review, the goal was waved off.
Key stat
The Avalanche have 12 comeback wins this season.
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood, back, makes a stick save on a shot as defenseman Josh Manson, center, jostles for position with Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch in front of the net in the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Denver. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski
Up next
Both teams are in action Saturday — Colorado hosts Montreal, and Buffalo plays in Vegas.
