Buffalo Sabres center Josh Norris (9) celebrates his goal with center Tage Thompson (72) during the first period of Monday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets in Buffalo. AP photo

BUFFALO (AP) — Josh Norris scored two goals and added an assist in his first game back after aggravating an injury in the season opener and the Buffalo Sabres beat the Winnipeg Jets 5-1 on Monday night.

Norris scored his first goal of the season with 5:06 remaining in the first period on a backhand shot, assisted by Zach Benson and Tage Thompson. He added a backhand shot 41 seconds into the third, assisted by Benson and Rasmus Dahlin. Norris also recorded one assist in the game.

Bowen Byram, Jason Zucker and Alex Tuch also scored for the Sabres and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 23 saves. Benson and Josh Doan added two assists each.

Kyle Connor scored the only goal for the Jets.

Starting goalie Eric Comrie allowed three goals on 14 shots in the first period. Thomas Milic came out to start the second and made 15 saves.

NORRIS RETURN

Norris matched his career-best single game points total in the Sabres’ 5-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Monday night, making a triumphant return to the lineup after sustaining an upper-body injury in the team’s season opener.

Norris scored two goals and assisted on the opening goal 2:46 into the game. His second goal gave the Sabres a commanding 5-1 lead less than a minute into the third period. It was Norris’ sixth three-point game and his first since Jan. 30 against Washington while playing for Ottawa.

Norris was injured in the season-opening 4-0 loss to the New York Rangers on Oct. 9.

Up next

Jets: End a five-game road trip at Montreal on Wednesday.

Sabres: Start a six-game road trip at Philadelphia on Wednesday.