Houser strong in season debut, Sabres beat Senators 3-1

Michael Houser made 43 saves in his season debut and the Buffalo Sabres beat the Ottawa Senators 3-1 on Tuesday night.

Houser became the sixth goalie to start a game for Buffalo this season. Mark Jankowski, Dylan Cozens and Alex Tuch scored for the Sabres (12-20-7).

Drake Batherson had the lone goal for Ottawa (11-19-2), and Anton Forsberg stopped 30 shots.

Ottawa Senators left wing Alex Formenton tries screen Buffalo Sabres goaltender Michael Houser as he is pressured by defenseman Mark Pysyk during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian WyldThe Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa's first home game since Dec. 11 was played without fans because of COVID-19 regulations.

The Senators had been looking for a third straight win as they returned from a two-game road trip in Western Canada.

With the game tied at 1, the Sabres scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period on a bizarre sequence.

Ottawa Senators center Dylan Gambrell collides with Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian WyldThe Canadian Press via AP)

It all started when Erik Brannstrom ran Kyle Okposo into the boards right between the benches. The hit created a reaction as players from both teams approached, but play went on and Jankowski broke in with teammate Josh Brown trailing and beat Forsberg stick side while most of the other players were caught watching.

Tuch added some insurance for Buffalo with 40 seconds left, putting the puck into an empty net.

Down 1-0 in the second, the Senators tied it with Batherson’s first power-play goal of the season. Batherson took a pass down low and, after his initial shot was stopped, lifted his own rebound over Houser.

Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk sends Buffalo Sabres center John Hayden into the boards as they fight during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian WyldThe Canadian Press via AP)

Houser got off to a great start with a big save against Alex Formenton on a breakaway and followed that up with a big stop on Tim Stutzle on the rebound.

Buffalo opened the scoring midway through the first period as Cozens got pushed off the puck on the rush but then picked it right back up and let a shot go that beat Forsberg glove side.

NOTES: Filip Gustavsson was recalled from Belleville of the AHL after Ottawa goalie Matt Murray became ill and was unable to dress due to an illness not related to COVID-19. ... Vinnie Hinostroza did not travel with the Sabres after getting injured Monday during an overtime loss to Detroit.

Ottawa Senators left wing Zach Sanford tries to put the puck past Buffalo Sabres goaltender Michael Houser during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian WyldThe Canadian Press via AP)

UP NEXT

Sabres: Host the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.

Senators: At the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night.

More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Michael Houser stops Ottawa Senators left wing Alex Formenton during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian WyldThe Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot pressures Buffalo Sabres right wing Kyle Okposo along the boards during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian WyldThe Canadian Press via AP)

Buffalo Sabres center Mark Jankowski celebrates his goal with defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, left, during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian WyldThe Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa Senators defenseman Josh Brown looks on as Buffalo Sabres center Mark Jankowski scores on goaltender Anton Forsberg during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian WyldThe Canadian Press via AP)

Buffalo Sabres' Mattias Samuelsson collides with Ottawa Senators left wing Austin Watson along the boards during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian WyldThe Canadian Press via AP)