Senators 2, Sabres 1
Bobby Ryan had a goal and an assist and Craig Anderson stopped 40 shots as Ottawa earned a split of its home-and-home series with visiting Buffalo.
Zack Smith added the eventual game-winning goal 6:39 into the second period for the Senators, who avenged a 2-1 shootout loss in Buffalo two nights earlier. Anderson was sensational throughout as he improved to 3-0-1 in his last four starts.
Tyler Ennis had the lone goal for the Sabres, who missed out on a chance to win back-to-back games for the first time since mid-November. Ryan Miller made 30 saves in defeat.
Ryan kicked off the scoring at 9:22, redirecting Kyle Turris' centering pass just underneath the crossbar and past Miller. Buffalo drew even with 2:21 remaining in the period, as Ennis beat Anderson with a wraparound moments after the Senators netminder denied captain Steve Ott on a breakaway.
Smith's point-blank goal off Turris' feed put Ottawa back in front in the middle period. Anderson preserved the lead with a tricky stop of Ville Leino's sharp-angle shot midway through the third, and the Senators held on from there despite being outshot 17-12 in the final frame.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Senators D Joe Corvo appeared in his 700th career regular-season game. ... Ennis' second-period power-play goal was Buffalo's third with the man advantage in the last 10 games. ... Anderson improved to 9-3-1 in his career versus the Sabres.