Buffalo scored three times in the second period, beat Columbus 5-2 and earned its fourth victory in five games

BUFFALO, N.Y. – NHL SPORTS — Josh Norris ended a six-game goal drought with two goals Friday as the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 at KeyBank Center.

Owen Power recorded three assists, Jack Quinn had a goal and an assist, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 24 saves. Buffalo has won four of its past five games and matched its season high for goals in a home game.

Buffalo takes charge

Quinn opened the scoring at 6:50 of the first period by putting in the rebound from his own shot. Kent Johnson tied the game for Columbus, but Norris restored Buffalo’s lead with 1:50 left in the period by driving to the net and finishing on his backhand.

The Sabres broke the game open in the second. Rasmus Dahlin scored at 4:29, Norris added his second at 9:46, and Josh Doan made it 5-1 only 1:07 later. The three goals came in a span of 6:24 and forced Columbus to chase the game the rest of the night.

Zach Werenski scored a late power-play goal for the Blue Jackets. Columbus goaltender Jet Greaves stopped 32 shots, but the visitors lost their third consecutive road game.

Norris and Power provide the lift

Norris had not scored since Oct. 17, so his two-goal night added an important source of offence behind Buffalo’s leading scorers. Power assisted on Quinn’s opener, Norris’ first goal and Dahlin’s second-period marker.

Buffalo did not score on four power-play chances, but it created enough at even strength and around the Columbus crease to control the result. The Sabres also limited the Blue Jackets to one goal until the final two minutes.

What it means

The Sabres are building momentum at home and showed they can win without relying on their power play. The next test comes Sunday afternoon against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Columbus returns home Tuesday to face Florida. Forward Sean Monahan left Friday’s game with a lower-body injury after blocking a Dahlin shot and did not return.