Trending Now - Sabres Rally to Defeat Lightning in High-scoring, Penalty-filled Game

WHO:

Buffalo Sabres

Tampa Bay Lightning

Josh Doan, Buffalo Sabres winger

Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres defenseman

Brandon Hagel, Tampa Bay Lightning forward

Sam Carrick, Buffalo Sabres center

Jason Zucker, Buffalo Sabres forward

Lindy Ruff, Buffalo Sabres head coach

Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres forward

Zemgus Girgensons, former Buffalo Sabres player

Jonas Johansson, former Buffalo Sabres goalie

Carolina Hurricanes

WHAT:

The Buffalo Sabres defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 8-7.

The game featured a total of 15 goals scored.

The teams combined for 102 penalty minutes.

Josh Doan scored his 21st goal of the season.

Buffalo had four power-play goals and one shorthanded goal.

The Sabres outscored the Lightning 4-1 in the final period.

Buffalo is 39-19-6 with 84 points; Tampa Bay is 39-19-4 with 82 points.

Tage Thompson extended his points streak to 11 games with four assists.

The Sabres have won seven consecutive games.

WHERE:

The game took place in Buffalo, New York.

WHEN:

The game occurred on March 8th, 2026.

Buffalo has 18 games left to play in the season.

Tampa Bay has 20 games left to play in the season.

WHY:

The game was significant as both teams were competing for first place in the Atlantic Division.

HOW:

Buffalo converted on four of seven power-play opportunities.

The game included multiple fights, contributing to the high penalty minute total.

(UPDATED March 9, 2026 13:19 UTC)

In a thrilling matchup on March 8, 2026, the Buffalo Sabres edged out the Tampa Bay Lightning with a score of 8 to 7, showcasing a total of 15 goals and an astonishing 102 penalty minutes. Josh Doan netted his 21st goal of the season, while Tage Thompson extended his points streak to 11 games with four assists, helping the Sabres secure their seventh consecutive victory. With this win, Buffalo improves to 39 wins, 19 losses, and 6 overtime losses, putting them in a tight race for first place in the Atlantic Division against Tampa Bay, who now sits at 39 wins, 19 losses, and 4 overtime losses.