Alex DeBrincat sparks 3-goal 1st-period surge in Red Wings 5-2 win over Sabres

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Alex DeBrincat’s power-play goal scored 4:02 in sparked Detroit's three-goal first period, and the Red Wings rolled to a 5-2 win over the Atlantic Division-leading Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.

Marco Kasper, Lucas Raymond, Jacob Bernard-Docker and Patrick Kane, with an empty-netter, also scored. Detroit, coming off a 3-2 loss to Ottawa on Tuesday, snapped a two-game skid and moved into a tie in points with the Senators for ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings — and a point back of the New York Islanders.

John Gibson stopped 28 shots.

Tage Thompson — registering his 400th career point — and Rasmus Dahlin scored and Buffalo dropped to 0-1-2 -- its longest skid since losing three straight in regulation in early December. Alex Lyon made 15 saves and dropped to 6-1-1 since returning from the NHL’s Olympic break.

The Sabres came out flat and undisciplined and wound up trailing 3-0 with 3:54 left in the opening period when Marco Kasper converted his own rebound in front.

Detroit’s first two goals came on the power play.

DeBrincat opened the scoring by converting a rebound in front five seconds after Josh Norris was penalized for high sticking. Raymond scored with Logan Stanley in the box for interference, and was set up by Moritz Seider leaping at the blue line to bat down Ryan McLeod’s clearing attempt.

Detroit entered the day scoring an NHL-low 40 goals in the first period.

Thompson cut the lead to 3-1 with a one-timer 5:35 into the second period.

Gibson made a key save with Detroit up and 5:21 left in the first period. Laying on his side in the crease, the goalie lifted his left pad to stop Dahlin’s shot from the slot.

Red Wings: Host Philadelphia on Saturday night.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) reaches for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider, right, clears the puck as left wing J.T. Compher looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) celebrates with defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Detroit Red Wings right wing Alex DeBrincat (93) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The NBA fined Timberwolves big man Naz Reid $50,000 "for questioning the integrity of game officials" in Minnesota's 110-108 victory over the Houston Rockets 110-108 on Wednesday.

Reid was hit with a technical foul and ejected with 4:13 left in overtime. He had not been charged with a prior technical, which would have resulted in an automatic ejection.

Crew chief Scott Foster told the pool reporter after the game that Reid was ejected for making “a statement that questioned the integrity of the crew.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11), left, works toward the basket as Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach (10) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)