Newz Forum: HOCKEY: Buffalo pulls within three points

Daniel Briere got the Buffalo Sabres an overtime victory. Tampa Bay's Dave Andreychuk got his NHL power-play goals record back.

Everybody seemed happy on Friday following a game in which the Sabres squandered a two-goal lead in the final two minutes before bouncing back to beat the Lightning 4-3 on Briere's goal with 1:59 left in the extra period.

"Roller coaster," Briere said with a wide grin. "That's the best word I could find tonight."

Briere finished with a goal and two assists, Miroslav Satan scored twice and Brian Campbell also scored in helping Buffalo extend its unbeaten streak to six (5-0-1).

Andreychuk scored twice and assisted on Cory Stillman's game-tying goal with 54.1 seconds remaining.

Andreychuk's two goals came on the power play, including the 265th of his career to regain the all-time league lead; Brett Hull scored his 263rd on Wednesday.

The Sabres (28-26-6-1) now have one more win than they managed last season, and moved two games above .500 for the first time since opening last season with two victories.

The win also set up an important showdown for the Sabres on Saturday, when they travel to play the New York Islanders. Ninth-place Buffalo moved within three points of the Islanders, who are tied with Montreal for the Eastern Conference's final two playoff spots.


[Edited on 2/21/2004 by crayon]

The Sabres lost last night to the Iles but they are looking like a playoff bound team winning their last 8 of 11 games. Can they do it?