Sharks 2, Sabres 1 (OT)
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Left winger Patrick Marleau scored 2:59 into overtime to lead the San Jose Sharks to a 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres Saturday night.
Marleau scored on a rebound opportunity to the left of the Sabres' net. After defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic's long shot ricocheted off the right post, Marleau put home the rebound to give San Jose the overtime win. It was Marleau's fifth goal of the season.
Vlasic scored in regulation for the Sharks (9-8-0). Goalie Martin Jones made 30 saves.
Center Ryan O'Reilly scored for the Sabres (8-8-1). Goalie Chad Johnson made 30 saves.
Vlasic opened the scoring 1:48 into the game with a power-play goal. With Marleau providing a screen in front, Vlasic scored on a blast from just behind the left circle.
O'Reilly tied the game with a blast of his own 6:27 into the third period. After swiping the puck away from Sharks defenseman Paul Martin just inside the blue line, O'Reilly fired a slap shot into the top corner of the net from the middle of the right circle.
It was O'Reilly's fifth goal of the year.
Both teams struggled in the offensive zone for much of the game. Buffalo's best chances came late in the second period, but Buffalo was unable to open a lead after O'Reilly's tying goal.
The Sabres did have a chance in the final seconds of regulation on a tremendous speed rush by rookie sensation Jack Eichel. Eichel skated past several members of the Sharks before his pass through the crease failed to find a teammate.
With the win, the Sharks finally turned around their fortunes on the road against Buffalo. The Sabres had won their previous eight games against the Sharks, with San Jose's only previous win in Buffalo coming on Dec. 2, 2005.
This was the second of a six-game road trip for the Sharks. The trip ends with a Nov. 22 game against Columbus.
NOTES: D Mike Weber and C Tim Schaller were scratched for the Sabres. Weber had surgery for a lower-body injury Friday and is considered week-to-week. Buffalo is still without D Zach Bogosian (lower body), G Robin Lehner (high ankle sprain) and LW Evander Kane (knee). ... RW Ben Smith, C Micheal Haley and D Matt Tennyson were scratched for the Sharks. ... This was the first of two meetings this season. Their second takes place Feb. 26 in San Jose. ... San Jose assistant coach Bob Boughner played two seasons for the Sabres (1996-98).