Related video: Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy returned to the ice with his teammates for the first time since he had back surgery in late September.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Nicholas Paul and Tyler Motte scored 52 seconds apart in the first period, and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Buffalo Sabres 3-1 on Saturday for their fifth consecutive victory.
Brandon Hagel had two assists, and Paul added an assist when defenseman Calvin de Haan scored into the empty net late in the third period. Jonas Johansson, a former Sabres player now backing up Andrei Vasilevskiy with the Lightning, made 27 saves in the opener of a three-game road trip.
Dylan Cozens scored for the Sabres after missing the previous game with an upper-body injury. Following consecutive shutout victories, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 13 of 15 shots for Buffalo.
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Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Nicholas Paul (20) is congratulated at the bench after scoring a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes) -
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Jonas Johansson (31) makes a glove save during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes) -
Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Motte (64) center, celebrates his goal with center Luke Glendening (11) and defenseman Nick Perbix (48) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes) -
Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38) is pressured by Buffalo Sabres left wing Zemgus Girgensons (28) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes) -
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Emil Martinsen Lilleberg (78) and Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens (24) collide along the boards during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Motte’s shorthanded goal gave Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead at 7:06 into the first period. He stripped the puck from Buffalo’s Alex Tuch in the defensive zone and beat Luukkonen on a breakaway.
That came less than a minute after Brandon Hagel set up Paul in the left circle for his 12th goal.
The Lightning will face the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday night.
