Jokiharju completes third-period comback as Sabres edge Ducks 3-2

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Henri Jokiharju scored 9:31 into the third period to give the Buffalo Sabres a 3-2 win against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night.

JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch also scored and Dylan Cozens had three assists for Buffalo. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 16 saves for the Sabres, who have six of their last seven games.

Mason McTavish and Leo Carlsson scored power-play goals while Lukas Dostal made 32 saves for the Ducks, whose five-game point streak was snapped.

The Ducks led 2-0 after two periods, but Peterka scored 1:56 into the third on a one-timer to cut the lead to 2-1, and Tuch followed at 5:34 by putting a puck off of Dostal and in.

Jokiharju, who starred for Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off, scored his second goal in as many games to complete the comeback.

Sabres: Buffalo´s comeback win was their fourth in games in which they trailed after two periods and helped them draw to within two points of Pittsburgh at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen uses his mask to deflect the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Ducks: Going without Trevor Zegras (three-game suspension) and goalie John Gibson (day-to-day with an upper-body injury), the Ducks were unable to capitalize on two power-play goals in a game for the first time since Nov. 15.

Jokiharju´s goal from a minimal angle beat Dostal high over his shoulder and past his head to give the Sabres the lead for good at 9:31 of the third period.

The multi-goal third period comeback for the Sabres was their first of the season and first against the Ducks.

The Sabres are at the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night and the Ducks return home to take on the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe is chased by Buffalo Sabres right wing JJ Peterka during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Anaheim Ducks left wing Ross Johnston (44) checks Buffalo Sabres left wing Jordan Greenway into the boards during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Buffalo Sabres left wing Beck Malenstyn (29) carries the puck past Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov (34) passes the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Buffalo Sabres left wing Zach Benson (9) carries the puck past Anaheim Ducks defenseman Brian Dumoulin (6)during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Buffalo Sabres center Jiri Kulich (20) reacts after being hit with a high stick during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)