Buffalo got off to a hot 2-0 lead in the first three minutes of the opening period. The Sabers scored twice in 15 seconds after Jason Zucker’s power play goal, followed by Bowen Byram’s fifth goal of the season.
Norris – who had missed the last 24 games due to an upper-body injury suffered in the season opener – increased the Sabers’ lead to 3–0 in the first period with his first goal of the season.
Buffalo outshot Winnipeg 14–8 with 17 scoring opportunities per Natural State Trick – at all strengths – in the opening stanza. Tage Thompson recorded the primary assist on Norris’ goal. Thompson has 10 points in his last 10 games and six points in his last six home games.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped the first 12 shots he faced before Kyle Connor scored his 13th of the season on a deflection to make it 3–1. Alex Tuch scored from the goal line a minute later when he deflected a shot off the arm of Thomas Milik, who replaced starter Eric Comrie.
Norris scored his second goal 41 seconds into the third period when he went a backhand between Milik’s legs on a breakaway. Zach Benson recorded his second assist of the game and 11th of the year.
The Sabers created a total of 32 scoring chances at all strengths, with each forward line registering at least four.
Luukkonen made 23 saves and earned his fourth win of the year. Luukkonen earned the 75th win of his NHL career and moved into eighth all-time in franchise wins, passing former Sabers goaltender Roger Crozier.
The Sabers made it back-to-back wins following their shootout win against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, moving to 11-11-4 overall and 9-5-2 at KeyBank Center.
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