Ducks put lots of shots up but few in during loss to Sabres

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Chad Johnson made 44 saves for his first shutout in nearly 21 months, leading the Buffalo Sabres to a 3-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday.

Evander Kane, Jack McCabe and Jamie McGinn scored for the Sabres.

Johnson finished with the Sabres’ franchise record for saves in a regulation shutout. It was his fourth career shutout, and first since March 21, 2014, while playing for Boston.

It was also the seventh time in 31 games the Sabres have blanked the Ducks, Buffalo’s highest shutout-to-games ratio against an opponent.

Anaheim goalie John Gibson finished with 19 saves.

It was Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau’s 300th game with the club, and the struggling team held Buffalo to 22 shots but couldn’t get anything going.

Anaheim’s power play failed to convert in three opportunities, making it five games and 13 chances without a score on the man advantage.

The Sabres were playing their fifth game in eight nights, and have not allowed a power-play goal in that stretch.

It was Anaheim’s first game since Friday, and the first of a stretch that sees the Ducks on the road for seven of eight.

The win also snapped Buffalo’s run of four-straight losses to Anaheim, a streak in which the Ducks outscored the Sabres, 21-7.

Sabres rookie Jack Eichel’s backhand dump-in caught Josh Manson in the face from close range, and the Ducks defenseman had to leave the game.

Buffalo opened the scoring 2:36 into the second period when Eichel sent a pass from the blue line to Kane, with the puck bounding off the winger’s ankle and into the goal.

McCabe doubled the advantage with 6:25 remaining in the period when he pinched from the left point to snap Cal O’Reilly’s pass behind Gibson.

It was O’Reilly’s first point since Feb. 5, 2012.