Sabres get buried by Avalanche again, collapsing in 3rd period of OT loss

DENVER (AP) — 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 6.8 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.

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.

Cale Makar had two goals, while Ross Colton and Mikko Rantanen also scored.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 23 saves.

Byram scored in his return to Denver. Colorado’s fourth overall pick in 2019, he was traded to Buffalo last March in exchange for Casey Mittelstadt.

The Sabres conclude their road trip Saturday in Vegas.