The Sabres got an early gift from Brian Elliott to start the game. The Flyers goaltender turned the puck over behind the net to Zemgus Girgensons. He then found Ryan O’Reilly in front with a wide open net to give the Sabres the lead just 1:29 into the game.
They continued to bring the pressure with Jack Eichel ringing a shot off the crossbar a few minutes later and then Elliott gave the puck away again. This time to Sam Reinhart, but he was unable to put it into the empty cage.