Lightning 2, Sabres 1
All-Star Steven Stamkos recorded a goal and an assist and Mathieu Garon made 13 of his 26 saves in the third period as the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning held on for a 2-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.
The Lightning have won all three games against the Sabres this season, each with Garon in net. Garon came into the year 1-7 lifetime against Buffalo.
Steve Downie scored his ninth goal at 7:31 of the second period for the Lightning after defenseman Victor Hedman’s nifty pass from the point found him alone in front. Stamkos added his league-leading 37th, one-timing a perfect pass from Teddy Purcell on a 2-on-1 at 13:16. Purcell had stolen the puck in the neutral zone.
Jason Pominville scored his 20th goal to bring Buffalo within a goal with 12:53 remaining in the contest. Garon robbed Pominville with 4:52 remaining and defenseman Christian Ehrhoff rang a shot off the crossbar with a minute left.
The Lightning have points in nine of their last 10 games (7-1-2).
It was the first loss in regulation at home for Buffalo since Dec. 10. Ryan Miller got his ninth straight start in net for the Sabres and made 21 of his 26 saves in the first two periods.