In Salt Lake City, Dylan Guenther’s goal off a rebound with 5:47 left in the game secured a 5-2 victory for the Utah Hockey Club against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday. Guenther’s 25th goal of the season gave Utah a 3-2 lead, followed by two empty-net goals. Mikhail Sergachev scored twice, including one empty-netter, and Logan Cooley also found the net. Karel Vejmelka made 25 saves. JJ Peterka scored for the Sabres, while Ryan McLeod added a short-handed goal and James Reimer made 27 saves.
Buffalo is currently at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, having won three of their last four games prior to the loss to Utah. Meanwhile, Utah earned a crucial two points in their pursuit of a playoff spot. The team sits in 11th place in the Western Conference with 73 points, trailing St. Louis by four points.
A key moment in the game was a disallowed goal by Beck Malenstyn early in the second period due to goaltender interference after a video review. Ryan McLeod has been on a hot streak with seven points in his last seven games, including a point in each of his last five games, tying his career-long point streak.
Next up, Buffalo faces the Minnesota Wild on the road, while Utah prepares to host the Tampa Bay Lightning.
