Sabres 3, Canadiens 2 (OT)
Sabres 3, Canadiens 2 (OT): Steve Ott scored his second goal of the game on a power play 2:16 into overtime as visiting Buffalo escaped with the victory after squandering a two-goal lead.
Ott, who had not recorded a goal in 13 games, opened the scoring 7:47 into the first period and ended the contest after Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban was called for high-sticking 18 seconds into overtime. Tyler Ennis also scored for the Sabres, who won for the second time in eight games (2-3-3).
Jhonas Enroth made 32 saves but surrendered third-period goals to Max Pacioretty and Colby Armstrong as the Canadiens forced overtime to salvage a valuable point. Carey Price stopped 18 shots for Montreal, which has one regulation loss in its last 18 games (13-1-4).
The Sabres built a 2-0 lead in the first period after outshooting Montreal 10-8, but were outshot 26-11 the rest of the game. Following a goalless second period, Pacioretty ended Enroth’s shutout bid with a one-timer from the slot 7:04 into the third. Colby Armstrong tied the game with a nifty move to his backhand with 3:51 remaining in regulation.
Montreal owns a two-point cushion in the Northeast Division over Boston, which lost 3-1 in Winnipeg on Tuesday. Despite the victory, the Sabres sit six points behind Toronto at the bottom of the division.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Buffalo LW Ville Leino, who had two assists, has three helpers in his first three games after starting the season on injured reserve. … Montreal is 1-0-2 against Buffalo. The Canadiens and Sabres will meet again in Montreal on Saturday and once more at Buffalo on April 11. … Buffalo's Thomas Vanek suffered an apparent injury to his hip after taking defenseman Christian Ehrhoff's shot from the point midway into the second period. Vanek did not return.