Matt Moulson scores twice in Sabres debut

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A lack of sleep didn't prevent Matt Moulson from delivering in his Buffalo Sabres debut last night.

A night after being acquired in a trade that sent Thomas Vanek to the Islanders, Moulson scored twice in a 4-3 loss to the Dallas Stars.

As if getting traded wasn't enough, Moulson was on his way to the airport at 4:30 a.m. yesterday to catch a flight to Buffalo. "Well, my wife always says I play my best games when I'm tired," he said. "So I'm going to have to stay up until 2 in the morning every day, I guess."

Moulson didn't look out of place in taking over for Vanek on the Sabres' top line, rounded out by center Cody Hodgson and winger Tyler Ennis.

Ennis faked a shot and sent a pass into the middle to set up a goal by Moulson 3:26 into the game that tied the score at 1. Moulson cut the Stars' lead to 4-3 late in the second period when he collected a loose puck in front and beat Kari Lehtonen. He has eight goals and 11 points this season.

Captain Steve Ott liked what he saw from the newcomer. "Give him a couple of practices and he'll start building some chemistry," he said. "He's a special talent, and that's why we acquired him."

The setting may be new, but Moulson's uncertainty about his future beyond this season hasn't changed. He arrived in Buffalo unsure whether the Sabres will be his last stop this season. With Buffalo (2-11-1) in the process of rebuilding from scratch and intent on developing a young lineup that features four 18-year-olds, Moulson eventually could find himself on the move again.

"I'm just going to take it day by day," he said. "If it's for however long, a long period of time, a short period of time or whatever they have planned, I'm going to play and compete, play my game and try to help this team get wins."

Moulson, 29, a three-time 30-goal scorer, is in the final year of his contract. That makes him eligible to test free agency next summer, when he's expected to attract lucrative offers. Vanek also is in the final year of his contract.

The key to the deal for the Sabres was an opportunity to continue stockpiling draft picks. They acquired a first-round selection in 2014 and a second-rounder in 2015.

In discussing the trade Sunday, general manager Darcy Regier said Moulson "will address our current needs." Moulson, who is in his seventh NHL season, began the day having scored 118 goals since 2009-10 to rank 10th among NHL players in that stretch.

Coach Ron Rolston noted that Moulson has a reputation for being a good role model. "You lose somebody of the stature of Thomas Vanek, you have to be really be careful on who you bring in," he said. "That helps set the culture that you have here."