Chaput's two goals carry Canucks past Sabres
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Michael Chaput scored twice to lead the Vancouver Canucks to a 4-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday night.
It was the first two-goal game of Chaput's career. Bo Horvat and Alexandre Burrows also scored for the Canucks (25-25-6). Jacob Markstrom made 26 saves.
Tyler Ennis and Kyle Okposo scored for the Sabres (23-23-10). Robin Lehner made 27 saves.
Ennis opened the scoring 4:58 into the first period after a turnover by Markus Grankund in the Vancouver end. Evan Rodrigues found Ennis on his left, who had an easy finish for his fourth goal of the season.
Horvat evened the score with a power-play goal 9:07 into the first period by redirecting a shot from the point. It was his 17th goal of the season.
The power play came after the Sabres were given an extra minor penalty following a skirmish instigated by Canucks right winger Alexandre Burrows. He slashed Lehner, who responded accordingly. Sabres defenseman Justin Falk then knocked Burrows over with a hard takedown. All three players were given roughing penalties.
Chaput made it 2-1 just after another Sabres penalty expired. As Evander Kane exited the box for elbowing, Chaput buried a quick shot from the slot for his second goal of the season.
Bufalo evened the score before the first period was over, finding the back of the net with 15.6 seconds remaining. Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen spotted Kyle Okposo beside the net with a terrific feed and Okposo guided the puck home for his team-best 18th goal of the season.
Burrows made it 3-2 five minutes into the second period on a quick shot after a feed from defenseman Troy Stecher. It was Burrows' ninth goal of the season.
Chaput picked up his second goal of the evening with 4:27 left in the second period just after another Sabres penalty ended. Defenseman Alexander Edler's shot-fake fooled the Sabres, and Edler followed with a quick cross-ice pass to Chaput to set up a one-timer.
NOTES: D Cody Franson (foot), C Zemgus Girgensons (middle body) and LW Nicolas Deslauriers were scratched for the Sabres. Franson is expected to miss the next 2-3 weeks with a bone bruise in the foot. He suffered the injury Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. ... Specifics regarding Girgensons' injury have yet to be revealed, but he is expected to miss at least a couple of games. ... D Alex Biega and D Philip Larsen were scratched for the Canucks. ... This was the second and final meeting between the teams this season. Vancouver won the first meeting 2-1 at home on Oct. 20.