Buffalo Sabres Hold On To Beat New Jersey Devils

When you consider how rough a start the Buffalo Sabres began their season and their poor home record, the Sabres are finishing strong.  They've won seven of their last 11 games including back to back wins against the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils.

Ryan O'Reilly scored a second-period power play goal and Johann Larsson scored early in the third for a 2-0 lead and the Sabres were able to hold on for a 3-1 win over the Devils Tuesday night.  Jack Eichel clinched it with a great individual effort by fighting off a pair of Devils to score into an empty in the final minute for his team-leading 24th goal of the season. 

Chad Johnson in goal made 18 saves for his third straight win.  He's started the last nine games for the Sabres and during that span he's picked up six wins and three losses, one of them in a shoot out.

The Sabres win ended a five-game losing streak against the Devils.  At 34-35-11 the Sabres can reach the .500 mark with a win and at least an overtime loss in their final two games.  It would give them 82 points for the season, exactly half of the available 164 points making it a .500 season.  That would be an impressive 28 point improvement over the year before.

The Sabres host the Columbus Blue Jackets Friday night, then close the season Saturday night on the road against the New York Islanders.