Josh Doan and Thompson each had a goal and an assist, and Alex Tuch and Ryan McLeod scored for Buffalo (6-8-4), which was 0-4-1 during its skid and won its first road game of the season (1-5-2). Colten Ellis made 24 saves and picked up his first NHL point with a third-period assist.

First it was Rasmus Dahlin. He flew from Sweden to Detroit on Friday for this game after taking a one-week leave of absence to spend time with his fiancee, who is still recovering from a heart transplant she received earlier this year. Dahlin said everything is going well, and he was able to come back in a much better headspace than when he left.

BOTTOM LINE: The Edmonton Oilers visit the Buffalo Sabres after the Sabres defeated the Detroit Red Wings 5-4 in overtime. Buffalo has a 6-8-4 record overall and a 5-3-2 record on its home ice. The Sabres have a -14 scoring differential, with 50 total goals scored and 64 given up.

After building a 4-1 lead in the second period, the Wings allowed four straight goals, the last on in OT for a 5-4 loss.

Despite clawing back from an early 2-0 deficit and coming close to making it a 4-4 game late in regulation, the Sabres ultimately succumbed to the inevitable in falling to the first-place Avalanche. Whatever positives the Sabres can take from this game will be outweighed by the already grim outlook for their season.

The Red Wings took a 4-1 lead in the second period after goals from some of their veteran leaders. When Alex DeBrincat stretched the lead to three, it seemed like a mountain too steep to climb for the Sabres. However, when Josh Doan tipped in a goal to end the period, the walls started to crumble in on Detroit.

Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin is back with the team after traveling to Sweden to check on his fiancee, who is recovering from a heart transplant this summer.

Former Buffalo Sabres goaltender Dustin Tokarski has landed a new opportunity. The Grand Rapids Griffins have announced that they have signed Tokarski to an American Hockey League (AHL) professional tryout (PTO).