The Buffalo Sabres’ winless streak was extended to six games (0-4-2) with Saturday afternoon’s 5-2 loss to the Utah Hockey Club at KeyBank Center.
After grabbing a 1-0 lead, Buffalo could neither weather Utah’s second-period surge nor generate consistent enough offensive pressure to mount a comeback.
Sabres forward Tyson Kozak scored his first NHL goal, assisted by Beck Malenstyn and Dennis Gilbert, who tallied his first point with Buffalo.
In addition to the assist, Malenstyn had a fight and tied Gilbert with a game-high seven hits.
Forward Jiri Kulich added a late goal, his third of the season.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 23 saves on 28 shots, while Utah netminder Karel Vejmelka stopped 23 of 25 shots.
Utah defenseman Michael Kesselring tallied a goal and an assist, and forward Alex Kerfoot picked up two assists. Mikhail Sergachev, Nick Schmaltz, Jack McBain and Kevin Stenlund also scored for Utah.
After an 0-for-3 afternoon, Buffalo’s power play is now 1-for-22 in its last eight games.
