Evander Kane struck early for the Sabres, putting a damper in the Stars’ attempt to stay on top of the first period. As the Stars are prone to do, they seemed to let this crack their confidence, and allowed one from Matt Moulson no more than 6 minutes later. However, Patrick Sharp lightened the mood and the expectations with a smooth, well-timed goal to close out the first.
The Stars started doing their catching up in the second. Jamie Benn turned a power play opportunity into a goal within the first 45 seconds, and after a slight lull, Sharp struck again to give the Stars their first lead in the 3-2 score.