BUFFALO —
Tyler Myers scored 2:01 into overtime to lift the Buffalo Sabres to a 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night.
Tyler Ennis scored twice and Ryan Miller made 26 saves as Buffalo earned its season-best fifth consecutive home win. The Sabres (33-29-8) also improved to 9-2-2 in their past 13 games and jumped ahead of Winnipeg into ninth place in the Eastern Conference, two points behind Washington in the race for the final playoff spot.
Erik Cole and David Desharnais scored for the Canadiens (27-32-11), who had won two in a row.
Montreal managed to salvage a point when Desharnais forced overtime during a scramble with 5 seconds left in regulation.
The decisive goal came on a 3-on-2 rush, with Derek Roy driving up the left wing. He swung a pass across to Myers, who snapped a low shot just inside the far post.
Buffalo improved to 7-0-1 in its past eight against Northeast Division-rival Montreal. The only blemish was a 4-3 shootout loss in their previous meeting last month. That game prompted Sabres coach Lindy Ruff to say he was “embarrassed” following a sloppy effort that dropped Buffalo into a tie for last place in the East.
It was a frantic finish, with Desharnais scoring during a wild scramble in front. With several Sabres lying on the ice after blocking one shot after another, Cole threaded a pass through the crease, where Desharnais snapped it in from the lower left circle.
Ennis put the Sabres in front 1:50 into the third period courtesy of a fortunate bounce.
Driving up the right wing on a 2-on-1 break, Ennis attempted to sneak a pass through the middle to rookie Marcus Foligno. Montreal defenseman Alexei Emelin reached back with his stick in an attempt to block the pass, but instead redirected it into his own net, just inside the left post.
As Foligno joined Ennis to celebrate behind the net, Emelin looked up to the roof in frustration.
Ennis tied it 11 minutes into the second on a nifty individual play. Collecting Drew Stafford’s pass at the Habs’ blue line on the fly, Ennis turned defenseman Andrei Markov inside out before driving to the net. Faking a backhand shot, Ennis went forehand and beat Peter Budaj.
The Canadiens goalie was otherwise sharp, stopping 33 shots.
In the first period, he somehow got a piece of Thomas Vanek’s shot through a screen. Then, four minutes into the second period, Budaj thrust his glove up to snag Roy’s blast that came on a 3-on-1 break.
Vanek was foiled again with 8:32 remaining, when he got in alone only to have Budaj get a piece of the shot with his right pad.
Despite being outshot 14-6 in the first period, the Canadiens scored the lone goal, capitalizing on a Sabres giveaway in the Buffalo zone 4:32 in. The puck squirted into the middle to Desharnais, who faked a shot before he made a slick pass to Cole, who blasted a shot inside the right post for his 26th of the season.
Sports
Related Photos
-
Tyler Myers (57) of th Buffalo Sabres scores the game-winning goal on Montreal Canadiens goalie Peter Budaj during overtime of Monday’s NHL game in Buffalo. The Sabres won, 3-2. AP Photo
Not so soon
Last-second Montreal goal ties it, but Sabres beat Habs in OT
- Sports
-
-
Lions' '9' wins NFL championship
It might not have been the prettiest Niagara Frontier League baseball win on record, nor the most convincing, but head coach Steve Styrzo’s Lockport Lions have written the book on strong pitching and timely hitting throughout this past season.
-
David Ragan revisited
What could Sunday’s Talladega winner David Ragan possibly have to do with Lockport and Western New York?
-
Lockport's Tolli is 3-time Patriot champ
Lockport native Caroline Tolli recently concluded one of the top all-around careers in Bucknell track and field history.
-
Together again
A Newfane family of four, dressed in Bills gear, was among the many who stopped by the Bewley Building to meet former Bills greats Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas.
-
Rampage preseason opener is Saturday
Lockport football fans are gearing up for the premier this Saturday afternoon of the city's newest semi-pro football team, the Lockport Rampage.
-
Barker's Hefferon signs for Seton Hill
Barker senior, Jessica Hefferon signed a National Letter of Intent recently to attend Seton Hill University on an academic and women’s field hockey scholarship.
-
Lord have Mercy
Lockport's Khari Demos will bring a variety of talents with him to Mercyhurst College this fall.
-
LHS senior is diving into college
One of the greatest female divers in Lockport High School history will take her talents and impecable timing to the University of Akron.
-
Reid selects Daemen College
Alex Reid spoke softly and carried a Giant Sequoia throughout his athletic career at Lockport High School.
-
Lockport/Ken East strike cancer out
Niagara Frontier League varsity softball players from Lockport and Kenmore East high schools participated Monday in the second-annual Strike Cancer Out contest at LHS.
- More Sports Headlines
-
MLB Hoping for Large Replay Expansion in 2014
America's Cup Officials Say Race Will Continue
LeBron James Wins NBA MVP for Fourth Time
African American Jockey Aims for Derby History
Horse Saved From Slaughter, Goes on to Win Big
Obama: 'Couldn't Be Prouder' of Jason Collins
Sacramento Mayor Lauds NBA Vote on Kings
NBA Star's Aunt: I Am Very Proud of Him
Tebow Time in New York Over After Jets Cut QB
White House Commends Jason Collins on Coming Out
NBA Veteran Jason Collins Comes Out As Gay
Raw: Alligator on Fairway at Zurich Classic
Backpacks Banned From Kentucky Derby
Ex Ravens LB Ayanbadejo Talks Equality
Red Sox Fans: Boston 'Getting Back to Normal'
