Zach Metsa's first NHL goal becomes game-winner as Sabres hold off Canucks

Zach Metsa scored his first NHL goal, which proved to be the game-winner in Buffalo's 5-3 win over Vancouver; Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 32 saves and the Canucks rallied late before an empty-netter finished the scoring.

Zach Metsa scored his first NHL goal and it became the game-winner in the Buffalo Sabres' 5-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Metsa signed an AHL contract after a decorated Quinnipiac career, became captain of the Rochester Americans and earned a two-way NHL deal. He made his NHL debut after injuries opened a roster spot and has been used in limited minutes. The goal came in the third period and was followed by a brief Vancouver comeback before an empty-net goal closed the game. Key game details: - Metsa scored with 13:47 to play in the third period, giving Buffalo a 4-0 lead that ultimately held as the deciding goal. - Vancouver scored three times in under six minutes (Jake DeBrusk, Elias Pettersson and Liam Ohgren) to cut the lead to 4-3. - Josh Doan added a long-distance empty-net goal late to make the final score 5-3. - Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen finished with 32 saves on 35 shots and stopped 13 of 14 high-danger shots. - Alex Tuch had multi-goal contributions and was credited with 34 points at the season midpoint; Bowen Byram logged nearly 25 minutes, recorded two assists and had 22 points at the midpoint. Summary: The goal gave Buffalo two important points and helped the Sabres respond after their recent loss that ended a 10-game winning streak. The team showed elements of the playing identity its coaches have emphasized, while Vancouver mounted a late push before the final empty-net goal. The Sabres face a tougher upcoming test, including a scheduled game against the New York Rangers.