Stamkos leads Lightning to 2-1 win over Sabres

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Steven Stamkos had a goal and assist, and the resurgent Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 on Saturday night for their seventh win in 10 games.

Mathieu Garon made 26 saves, and Steve Downie also scored during the Lightning's two-goal second period. Tampa Bay (24-24-6) is on a 7-1-2 roll and has earned at least a point in a season-high four straight road games (3-0-1).

Jason Pominville scored Buffalo's lone goal 7:07 into the third period in a game in which the Sabres came out flat while playing for the third time in four nights. The Sabres managed 13 shots through two periods and 27 overall.

Buffalo failed to earn a point for the first time in seven games (5-1-1), and lost in regulation at home for the first time in 11 (6-1-4), dating to a 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers on Dec. 10.