Sabres 7, Lightning 3
SABRES 7, LIGHTNING 3: Rookie Marcus Foligno recorded two goals for the second time in his six-game NHL career and Drew Stafford added three points as visiting Buffalo beat Tampa Bay for the first time in four tries.
Jason Pominville added two goals, Stafford had a goal and two assists and Foligno brought his total to five goals since being recalled from the American Hockey League two weeks ago.
Cody Hodgson had two assists for his first points with Buffalo in his 11th game since being acquired from Vancouver.
Tyler Ennis and Thomas Vanek also had two helpers for the Sabres, who remained two points back of the eighth-place Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference.
Defenseman Bruno Gervais had a goal and an assist and Trevor Smith added his first goal of the season for the Lightning, who dropped to 1-5-1 in their last seven.
Pominville and Foligno scored power-play goals for the Sabres in the first and second period, respectively. It was only the second time since Dec. 26 the Sabres had two goals with the man advantage.
Smith brought the Lightning within 4-2 at 14:14 of the second, but Foligno and Brad Boyes scored 38 seconds apart for a 6-2 lead after two.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Dustin Tokarski started in goal for the Lightning, but was replaced by Dwayne Roloson after allowing four goals on 15 shots. … Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller improved to 18-7 against Tampa Bay. … The Lightning were without forwards Adam Hall and Ryan Shannon – both injured Saturday against St. Louis.