Cozens' go-ahead goal helps Sabres snap 5-game losing streak in win over Oilers
McDavid extends point streak to 13 games with assist in loss
Sabres coach Don Granato recalled how young centre Dylan Cozens didn't flinch upon being informed he and his line would be matched up against two-time NHL MVP Connor McDavid.
The 20-year-old followed up by showing no signs of fear in delivering upon his coach's trust in a 3-2 win on Friday night in Buffalo, N.Y. Cozens' line not only kept McDavid off the scoresheet in even-strength situations, but he scored twice, including the go-ahead goal in the final minute of the second period.
"I liked what I saw and felt he was ready for the challenge, whichever way it went," Granato said of the conversation the two had earlier this week. "The way he played tonight, he had an amazing game."
The second-year player scored twice in a span of 5:14 in snapping the team's 0-4-1 skid.
"It's a big confidence boost, for sure, to go against one of the top players in the world. I was excited," said Cozens, who was selected with the No. 7 pick in the 2019 draft.
"If I knew a couple of years ago that my first time going against McDavid that I'd be line matched against him, it would have been a little overwhelming," he added. "But I try not to overthink and just go out and play."
WATCH | Cozens puts Oilers away, lifts Sabres to victory:
Anders Bjork also scored for Buffalo. Dustin Tokarski stopped 33 shots — including bang-bang chances by Leon Draisaitl with 4:45 remaining — for his second win in seven starts, and after allowing 13 goals in his past three outings.
The Oilers (10-3) have lost two of three and failed to win 11 of their first 13 outings of a season for the first time in team history.
Draisaitl scored twice on the power play to improve his NHL-leading total to 14 goals.
The 13-game run to open the season is just the fifth in the NHL since 2000, and longest since Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon had a 13-game streak to open the 2019-20 season. McDavid's streak ranks fourth among the Oilers, with Wayne Gretzky having the three longest runs of 16 games (1984-85), 30 (1982-83) and 51 (1983-84).
The assist also was McDavid's 599th career point in 420 games. Only five players have reached the 600-point mark in fewer games, with Eric Lindros ranking sixth at 429.
'It cost us tonight'
The Oilers ran out of steam in attempting to win while trailing after two periods for a second consecutive night after scoring the final three goals in a 5-3 win at Boston.
Edmonton's Stuart Skinner stopped 20 shots in making his second start of the season, and third of his career.
Cozens scored the go-ahead goal with 50 seconds left in the second period by converting a loose puck in the crease, and after Skinner stopped Vinnie Hinostroza's backhander on a transition break.
Cozens tied it at 2 with 6:04 left in the second period, and set up for a partial breakaway by Drake Caggiula, who intercepted Duncan Keith's pass at centre.
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