Sabres 4, Flyers 3 (OT)
Thomas Vanek scored 1:16 into overtime as the host Buffalo Sabres clinched a postseason berth Friday night with a 4-3 win over the struggling Philadelphia Flyers.
Following a giveaway by Flyers forward Scott Hartnell in his own zone, Vanek fired a backhander past Philadelphia netminder Sergei Bobrovsky to ignite a raucous celebration at HSBC Arena as the Sabres (42-29-10) completed an unlikely charge to the playoffs.
Once out of contention by double digits in points, Buffalo has gone 19-8-5 in the second half of the season to move into a tie for the Montreal Canadiens in the East, three points clear of the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes in eighth.
Vanek finished with a goal and two assists while Nathan Gerbe scored twice and Jason Pominville also struck for the Sabres. Ryan Miller earned the win in relief of rookie Jhonas Enroth, who started but was yanked after allowing three goals on 19 shots.
Hartnell and Daniel Briere had a goal and an assist apiece while Kris Versteeg also scored for the Flyers (46-23-12), who have dropped five straight. The single point earned by the Flyers, coupled with Pittsburgh's 4-3 shootout win over the New York Islanders, leaves the Pennsylvania rivals tied for top spot in the Atlantic Division race.
Philadelphia wraps up the regular season Saturday against the Islanders, while the Penguins finish Sunday in Atlanta.