Marco Kasper extended the lead to 3-0 at 16:06 of the first. Emmitt Finnie was denied twice by Lyon from point-blank range, but he got his third rebound back and passed to Kasper, who spun around in the right circle for a quick wrist shot short side.

“It’s unacceptable,” Dahlin said. “They came out really good and scored three early, and it’s hard to come back from that. We need better first periods.”

Thompson cut it to 3-1 at 5:35 of the second period when he beat Gibson five-hole with a one-timer from the top of the left circle off a cross-ice feed from Peyton Krebs.

The Sabres outshot the Red Wings 12-3 in the second period.

“We’ve been behind before,” Thompson said. “We know we can score and find our way back in the game, just definitely not the position you want to be in. … I thought that push in the second was really good, and then obviously in the third there, they get another couple of power plays, four minutes off mine (a double minor for high-sticking), and that gives them life.”

Jacob Bernard-Docker made it 4-1 at 15:46 of the third period, scoring his first goal of the season from the top of the left circle.

Dahlin quickly answered back for the Sabres at 16:25. Bowen Byram‘s one-timer from the point was blocked in front, but Dahlin found the loose puck and scored with a shot that just trickled over the goal line off the glove arm of Gibson to make it 4-2.

Kane scored an empty-net goal at 18:17 for the 5-2 final.

“There’s ups and downs and ebbs and flows with the players, the way they feel,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said. “The opposition always has a say in the game. I talk about the wonders of sport, that’s how it goes. Tomorrow we expect to come out and have energy and play like we did in the first, but there’s always variables that come into play. We’ll control as many of them as we can and we’ll try and get off to a good start again.”

NOTES: DeBrincat has 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) during an eight-game point streak. … Seider played in his 400th NHL game and Bernard-Docker played in his 200th. … Seider’s first assist was his 50th point of the season. He is the third defenseman in Red Wings history to have multiple seasons with at least 50 points before the age of 25, joining Reed Larson (four) and Nicklas Lidstrom (two). … Thompson’s goal was his 400th NHL point (213 goals, 187 assists in 521 games).