Devils 2, Sabres 1 (SO)
Scott Gomez and Jacob Josefson scored in the first two rounds of the shootout as host New Jersey halted its four-game losing streak.
Patrik Elias netted a power-play goal as the Devils prevailed in the opener of their six-game homestand. Cory Schneider made 24 saves before Matt Moulson and Tyler Ennis both shot wide in the bonus format to send Buffalo to its fourth straight defeat.
Ennis scored the lone goal in regulation for the Sabres, who have managed five tallies during the four-game skid and fell to 2-18-1 over their last 21 games. Michal Neuvirth lost his 11th consecutive decision despite turning aside 34 shots.
Defenseman Marek Zidlicky set up the opening goal at 6:18 of the first period with a perfect slap pass from the point that Elias redirected past Neuvirth with one second remaining on the power play. The Devils squandered a glittering chance to double the lead when Gomez and Jaromir Jagr muffed a 2-on-none rush, failing to get off a shot.
Buffalo tied it 27 seconds into the third period as Ennis jumped on the puck off a faceoff and beat Schneider from the right circle. The Devils had a superb chance to go ahead with 3:27 to play as Adam Henrique was awarded a penalty shot after being pulled down by Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian on a breakaway, but he shot wide on his opportunity.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Buffalo has been held to two goals or fewer in 17 of its last 21 games. ... Devils C Travis Zajac appeared in his 600th NHL game, the 14th player to reach the milestone with New Jersey. ... Sabres RW Patrick Kaleta will undergo surgery to repair a lower-body injury and is expected to be sidelined four-to-six weeks. ... Devils C Stephen Gionta, sidelined since suffering a fractured left hand on Dec. 29, returned to the lineup to square off against Sabres captain Brian Gionta, his older brother.