Sabres Shock Lightning in High-Scoring Thriller

Teams combine for NHL season-high 15 goals in wild comeback win

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Buffalo Sabres rallied from two-goal deficits twice to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning 8-7 in a wild, high-scoring affair that saw the teams combine for a season-high 15 goals. Josh Doan's second power-play goal in the third period capped the Sabres' comeback after they had fallen behind 6-4 earlier in the period.

Why it matters

The win moves the Sabres into first place in the Atlantic Division, leapfrogging the Lightning in the standings. The game featured an incredible amount of offense, with the 15 total goals setting a new NHL season high. The physical nature of the contest, with 100 penalty minutes between the teams, also added to the drama.

The details

The Sabres fell behind 4-1 early but scored three unanswered goals to tie it at 4-4 heading into the third period. The Lightning then scored twice to take a 6-4 lead, but the Sabres responded with three goals in a 4:40 span to go up 7-6. After the Lightning tied it at 7-7, Doan's second power-play goal of the period gave the Sabres the win. Alex Tuch and Jason Zucker each scored twice for Buffalo, while Nikita Kucherov had two goals and an assist for Tampa Bay.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 9, 2026.
  • The Sabres scored three unanswered goals in the second period to tie the game at 4-4 heading into the third period.
  • The Lightning scored twice early in the third period to take a 6-4 lead, but the Sabres responded with three goals in a 4:40 span to go up 7-6.
  • Doan's game-winning power-play goal came at 15:43 of the third period.

The players

Josh Doan

Scored two power-play goals, including the game-winner, for the Sabres.

Nikita Kucherov

Scored two goals and had an assist for the Lightning.

Alex Tuch

Scored two goals for the Sabres.

Jason Zucker

Scored two goals for the Sabres.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Sabres goaltender who made 21 saves.

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What they’re saying

“That was one of the craziest games I've ever been a part of. We never gave up, and that's what I love about this team.”

— Josh Doan (statenews.net)

“We had them on the ropes, but they just kept coming at us in waves. You have to give them credit for their resilience.”

— Nikita Kucherov (statenews.net)

What’s next

The Sabres will look to build on this momentum as they continue their push for the playoffs, while the Lightning will aim to regroup and regain their footing in the Atlantic Division race.

The takeaway

This game showcased the incredible offensive firepower and competitive spirit of both the Sabres and Lightning, providing an unforgettable display of NHL action and highlighting the unpredictable nature of the sport.