Thompson has goal, assist, Sabres hold off Canucks

VANCOUVER -- Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin each had a goal and assist for the Buffalo Sabres in a 3-2 win against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on Thursday.

It was the first road victory for Buffalo in regulation since April 1, improving its road record to 4-9-2 this season, including a 4-3 overtime win at the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday.

“I feel like we're understanding road games better now,” Dahlin said. “We're keeping it simple, taking advantage of special teams and then (heck) of a goalie today, so a lot of good things.”

Zach Benson also scored for the Sabres (13-14-4), who have won two in a row and are 2-3-0 on a six-game road trip that started with three straight regulation losses, including 7-4 at the Calgary Flames on Monday. Alex Lyon made 30 saves.

They did it despite missing second-line center Josh Norris for the past two games because of injury and losing top-line forward Alex Tuch to illness during warm-ups in Vancouver.

“That shows a lot of character,” Dahlin said. “Some guys are out of the lineup too and I'm very proud of the boys. Some guys from [Rochester of the American Hockey League] have been coming in and playing unbelievable, too, so (heck) of a team effort. We're taking steps.”

Kiefer Sherwood and Max Sasson each scored for the Canucks (11-17-3), who have lost four in a row and six of seven (1-5-1).

Thatcher Demko, who returned after missing the past 12 games with a lower-body injury, made 12 saves.

“Thought we played well. I thought I could have been better too. It kind of comes down to that one extra save, so, yeah, it's frustrating for sure,” Demko said. “I felt ready to play. Definitely didn't feel perfect tonight. Definitely need to be better.”

Lyon was making his first start since Nov. 28, but finished the games in Calgary and Edmonton, picking up the overtime win against the Oilers after goalie Colten Ellis sustained a concussion on a collision late in the first period.

“I kind of had a little bit of a rhythm and you kind of have a baseline on what you want to do, and how you want to be when you get in the net,” Lyon said. “The first period was a grind for me and the guys did a great job of keeping them limited. We played a really sharp first period, and we played a great second period, and then we just found a way to win at the end."

Buffalo, which surrendered the tying goal with two seconds left in Edmonton on Tuesday, blocked 26 shots, including a couple of crucial ones by Jordan Greenway and Tyson Kozak in the final minutes with Demko pulled for an extra attacker.

“Gutsy effort,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “The blocked shots at the end, incredible desperation.”

Dahlin opened the scoring for the Sabres at 7:36 of the first period. Ryan McLeod sent a wobbling pass from below the goal line to Dahlin above the left face-off circle, where he beat Demko with a long-distance one-timer that appeared to dip.

“That was a knuckle puck,” Dahlin said.

It’s one Demko still thought he should have saved.

“Not super happy with that,” Demko said. “Felt a little late on it, maybe a little slow. Maybe just trying to acclimate back to game speed.”

Sherwood tied it 1-1 with his first goal in 11 games while on a power play at 19:49. He backhanded a rebound off the skate of Buffalo defenseman Conor Timmins between Lyon's pads after a failed clearing attempt. It was the Canucks' first power-play goal in seven games, ending a 0-for-21 slump.

“It's tough right now, but you can't get swayed by the results, right?” Sherwood said. “We just try to focus on the process and eventually the things will go in. We obviously deserve tonight but continue to fight for each other and build towards our identity.”

Sasson put Vancouver ahead 2-1 on a breakaway at 6:15 of the second period when he sped into the offensive zone, split the defense and snapped a shot five-hole on Lyon.

Thompson tied it 2-2 at 9:12, collecting a pass from Dahlin and sending a wrist shot from the high slot blocker side through a screen.

Benson scored on a power play at 14:46 to put Buffalo ahead 3-2. The play started with Thompson passing from the left boards to Josh Doan near the goal line, and he one-touched it up to Benson in the slot for a one-timer under Demko’s glove.

It was Benson's first goal since March 12.

“It's definitely a weight off the shoulders,” said Benson, who is from Chilliwack, 60 miles east of Vancouver. “I would have rather got it a lot earlier but it's obviously special to score in front of friends and family, and a few people from my hometown, so it definitely makes a little more special. But it's just nice to get the first one out of the way.”

NOTES: Sabres forward Trevor Kuntar was minus-1 in 5:12 of ice time in his NHL debut in place of Tuch, one day after signing a one-year, two-way contract after starting the season on an AHL contract with their affiliate in Rochester. ... Dahlin extended his point streak for four games (eight points; two goals, six assists). … Canucks center Elias Pettersson missed his third straight game but has resumed skating and is expected to join the team on a five-game road trip that begins at the New Jersey Devils on Sunday. … Vancouver captain Quinn Hughes had an assist to end his scoring drought at six games, just the second time in his NHL career he’s gone that long without a point.