Zach Benson’s first goal in 35 games stood up as the winner, lifting the visiting Buffalo Sabres to a 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks Thursday at Rogers Arena.
Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin also scored for Buffalo (13-14-4), with Alex Lyon making 29 saves for the goaltending win. Kiefer Sherwood and Max Sasson replied for the Canucks (11-17-3). Thatcher Demko stopped 12 of 15 shots and took the loss in net.
Dahlin opened the scoring 7:36 into the first period, one-timing a feed from Ryan McLeod and beating Demko with a slapshot from the deep slot. Dahlin has a five-game multi-point scoring streak at Rogers Arena.
With 10.6 seconds left in the period, Sherwood tied things at 1-1 on the power play.
He grabbed a loose puck in front of Lyon and banked a shot off the skate of Buffalo defender Conor Timmins and through the legs of Lyon. Sherwood’s first goal in 11 games gives him 13 on the season.
Shots on goal after the first period favoured the Canucks 12-7.
'TIS THE SASSON. pic.twitter.com/uRJNa1U3Ji
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 12, 2025
In the second, the speedy Sasson gave Vancouver a 2-1 lead at 6:15, dashing in and beating Lyon through the five-hole for his sixth goal of the year.
Three minutes later, Thompson pulled the Sabres even at 2-2. After a failed clearing attempt by the Canucks, Dahlin fed Thompson who ripped a laser of a wrist shot past Demko for his 15th of the year.
At 14:46, Buffalo moved ahead 3-2 when Benson broke his lengthy goalless drought with his first of the year, one-timing home a pass from Josh Doan on the power play.
Vancouver put on some heavy late pressure with Demko pulled in favour of an extra attacker but could not manage the tying goal.
The Canucks visit the New Jersey Devils Sunday (9:30 a.m.).
NOTES: Demko returned from injury to make his first start since Nov. 11… The Canucks now embark on a five-game road swing and their next home game is not until Dec. 27 against San Jose…