Wednesday's other games

Sabres 5, Senators 4, OT
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Daniel Briere scored twice, including the winner at 4:13 of overtime, lifting Buffalo over Ottawa. Maxim Afinogenov had a goal and three assists, and Derek Roy and Rory Fitzpatrick also scored for Buffalo (47-23-6). It is the Sabres' highest victory total since they won 48 in 1983-84. Sabres coach Lindy Ruff (300-266-84) became the 31st NHL coach to win 300 games, and 16th to do it with the same team. Daniel Alfredsson, Patrick Eaves, Christoph Schubert and Chris Kelly scored for the Senators, who squandered 3-1 and 4-3 leads. Briere tied the game with 39 seconds left in regulation. The Senators lost for the first time in 54 games when scoring four or more goals, ending the third-longest streak in NHL history. The streak dates to a 5-4 overtime loss to Toronto on Feb. 5, 2003.
Thrashers 5, Panthers 2
SUNRISE, Fla. -- Scott Mellanby and Marian Hossa scored third-period goals to lead Atlanta over Florida. The Thrashers moved within five points of eighth-place Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference. Florida is eight points behind the playoff cutoff. Hossa added an empty-net goal, Ilya Kovalchuk scored his 49th, and Steve McCarthy also scored for the Thrashers, who had lost three of four after an 11-3 streak. Juraj Kolnik and Martin Gelinas scored for the Panthers, who lost for the fourth time in 15 games. Kari Lehtonen, making his 27th consecutive start for the Thrashers, stopped 39 shots. Florida's Roberto Luongo stopped 29 shots.
Hurricanes 4, Capitals 3, SO
WASHINGTON -- Mutt Cullen scored the only goal in the shootout, giving Carolina a win against Washington in the second of three consecutive games between the Southeast Division rivals. The victory follows Carolina's 6-5 overtime win over Washington on Monday, and it moved the Hurricanes within two points of Ottawa for first place in the Eastern Conference. The clubs will meet again Friday in Washington, their fifth matchup in two weeks. Brian Willsie, Alex Ovechkin and Brooks Laich all failed to beat Hurricanes goaltender Martin Gerber in the shootout, while Cullen became the first player this season to solve Washington goalie Brent Johnson in a shootout. Johnson had stopped all six shootout shots he had faced before Wednesday. Mark Recchi tied the game at 3 with 6:35 remaining in regulation. Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin got his 50th assist, putting him within two goals of becoming the second rookie in NHL history to have 50 goals and 100 points in a season. Ovechkin has 48 goals and 98 points with seven games to play.
Maple Leafs 3, Islanders 2
TORONTO -- Alexei Ponikarovsky scored a tiebreaking goal with 2:02 remaining and Toronto beat New York. Toronto moved within six points of eighth-place Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference with seven games remaining. Darcy Tucker, who hadn't scored in 16 games, had two goals in Toronto's come-from-behind win. The Leafs have earned nine of 10 points in their last five games. Miroslav Satan and Alexei Yashin scored for the Islanders, who were eliminated with their fifth consecutive loss.
Blackhawks 4, Predators 3
CHICAGO -- Rene Bourque had a goal and two assists as Chicago defeated Nashville, the Predators sixth loss in seven games. Duncan Keith, Patrick Sharp and Mark Bell also scored for the Blackhawks, who won for just the third time in their last 10 games. Nashville's Greg Johnson had a goal and an assist. Dan Hamhuis and Mark Eaton also scored for injury-depleted Nashville. Chicago's Nikolai Khabibulin made 26 saves, as the Blackhawks played their 10th game decided by one goal in their last 11. Nashville starting goalie Chris Mason allowed three goals on 26 shots. He was pulled late in the first after giving up three goals on 10 shots, but returned to start the second. Pekka Rinne relieved for the final 3:08 of the first and permitted a goal on two shots. Tomas Vokoun, the Predators top goalie, is out with a sore back.
Associated Press
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.