The Buffalo Sabres scored a 4-1 win over the Eastern Conference-leading New York Rangers on Friday and are now neck-and-neck with Washington in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot.
The Sabres (36-29-10) made the most of the few chances that came their way in the third period at Madison Square Garden, scoring twice despite being outshot 13-5.
Buffalo's Travis Turnbull opened the scoring with his first NHL goal early in the second period but Brian Boyle leveled the score just before the 10-minute mark.
Drew Stafford put the Sabres 2-1 up six minutes before the end of the second and Tyler Ennis extended the lead to 3-1 at 14:00 of the third.
Stafford made the game safe with his second of the night two minutes later.
Buffalo are now tied with Washington on 82 points after the Capitals blew a three-goal lead to lose 4-3 in overtime to the Winnipeg Jets.
(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario; Editing by Peter Rutherford. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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