Buffalo, NY (Sports Network) – Thomas Vanek’s goal at 1:16 of overtime lifted Buffalo over Philadelphia, 4-3, at HSBC Arena.
Vanek carried the puck through the middle of the Flyers’ defensive zone, split two defenders and scored on the backhand.
Nathan Gerbe tallied twice for the Sabres, who clinched a playoff berth by virtue of playing beyond regulation. With the win, Buffalo pulled even with idle Montreal for sixth in the East with 94 points.
Jhonas Enroth was pulled after allowing three goals on 19 shots in two periods. Ryan Miller picked up the win after stopping all eight shots he faced.
Danny Briere, Scott Hartnell and Kris Versteeg scored for the Flyers, who continued their late-season freefall by losing their season-high fifth straight game.
Sergei Bobrovsky allowed four goals on 29 shots. Philadelphia is now tied atop the Atlantic Division with Pittsburgh — which beat the Islanders in a shootout. Both teams have 104 points and one game remaining.
Philly’s OT defeat also means the Washington Capitals clinched the top seed in the conference.