Rookie Victor Olofsson returns and scores twice to pace Buffalo.
By Heather Engel / NHL.com Independent Correspondent
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Victor Olofsson scored twice in his return to the lineup, including at 2:44 of overtime, to help the Buffalo Sabres to a 4-3 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets at KeyBank Center on Thursday.
Olofsson, who missed the previous 15 games with a lower-body injury, scored the game-winner from low in the left face-off circle off a drop pass by Jack Eichel.
Markus Nutivaara forced overtime for the Blue Jackets (30-17-11) when he tied the game 3-3 with the Columbus net empty at 18:47 of the third period. Matiss Kivlenieks made 23 saves.
Eichel had a goal and two assists for the Sabres (26-24-8). Carter Hutton made 28 saves and he also picked up an assist in the contest.
Nathan Gerbe scored off a Vladislav Gavrikov pass in the slot for a one-timer with 28 seconds left in the first period to put the Blue Jackets up 1-0.
Boone Jenner deflected Zach Werenski’s point shot to make it 2-0 at 1:31 of the second period.
Eichel cut it to 2-1 at 18:47 with a wrist shot from the top of the left circle.
Olofsson tied it 2-2 with a power-play goal from the right circle at 2:10 of the third.
Evan Rodrigues gave Buffalo a 3-2 lead when he cut into the slot and scored at 15:34.
Sam Reinhart, Rasmus Ristolainen, Rasmus Dahlin (2), and Jeff Skinner received assists for the Sabres.
Up next
Buffalo concludes its homestand on Sunday at 7 pm against the Toronto Maple Leafs.