Sabres Win Wild Game In Shootout

Dreeeeeewwwwwwww Stafford. He was magical once again today as he kicked off the new year with a hat-trick in the Sabres 7-6 shootout win over the Bruins. It was his second hat-trick of the season and both occurred against Boston.

The Sabres got off to a slow start as Boston got off to an early 3-1 lead.

Buffalo played very poorly on defense and had trouble stopping the Bruins early on.

Thomas Vanek scored midway through the 1st period to bring the Sabres within one at 3-2 but the Bruins responded again shortly after.

With under one minute remaining in the 1st period period and the Sabres down 4-2, the Drew Stafford show began.

Stafford scored his first goal of the night as the Sabres entered 1st intermission down 4-3.

In the 2nd period, the Sabres roared all the way back to take a 5-4 lead off of Drew Stafford's and Jason Pominville's 2nd goals of the game.

But when it comes to the Sabres, there is no such thing as a safe lead.

Eight minutes into the 3rd period, the Sabres had not only seen there lead taken away, but also trailed after a pair of goals from Boston.

The Sabres trailed 6-5 in the late stages of the 3rd period when Drew Stafford reappeared again.

Stafford completed his 2nd hat-trick of the season to tie the game at 6-6 with 28 seconds left in the game.

The resulting overtime period ended without any goals sending the game into a shootout.

All three Buffalo players scored in the shootout including Drew Stafford as they won 7-6. Ryan Miller stopped Boston's final shooter Zedeno Chara to win the game for the Sabres.

Tonight's win gives the Sabres a two-game winning streak and sole position of 11th place in the Eastern Conference.

The Sabres don't play again till Tuesday January 4th at Colorado.

Attendance: 18,690

Buffalo's Record: 16-18-4 (36 points) 11th in the Eastern Conference

Last 10: 5-5

Key Fact: Drew Stafford recorded his 2nd hat trick of the season

Interesting Note: Both of Stafford's hat tricks have come against the Bruins

Three Stars:

1st- Drew Stafford (Buffalo)

2nd- Jason Pominville (Buffalo)

3rd- Taylor Seguin (Boston)