Tage Thompson, JJ Peterka and Ryan McLeod scored unanswered goals in the first period Sunday afternoon for the host Buffalo Sabres, who fended off a third-period comeback by the New Jersey Devils to earn a 4-3 win.

Tage Thompson had a goal and two assists before leaving the game in the third period after taking a check to the head, and the Buffalo Sabres held on to beat the New Jersey Devils 4-3 on Sunday.

On Feb. 2, the New Jersey Devils began their road trip by taking on the Buffalo Sabres. The outcome was bleak, as the Sabres scored three goals in the first period.

The club clawed its way back from a 3-0 first-period deficit, but it ultimately didn't matter as the Sabres handed the Devils a 4-3 regulation loss. "We put ourselves in that position early," Paul Cotter said to NJD.

A bad turnover by the Sabres gave Paul Cotter a look from the high slot, but his shot was blocked. Minutes later Timo Meier had a breakaway that was stopped by Luukkonen with a split pad save. New Jersey couldn’t convert and the Sabres responded with three goals in the first period,