BUFFALO, N.Y. – Former Portland Pirate Tyler Ennis scored two goals to lift the Buffalo Sabres to a 5-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night.
Sabres captain Craig Rivet’s appreciated the help. Playing for the first time in nearly a month, Rivet had a goal and assist.
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Buffalo’s embattled leader had been a healthy scratch for the past 11 games — and 16 times overall this season — but he was added to the lineup because of defenseman Chris Butler’s recent struggles.
Ennis wasn’t surprised with how Rivet came back, and told the 16-year NHL veteran before the game he had a feeling Rivet would get that elusive goal.
“He played awesome,” Ennis said. “The last month he’s been really supportive in the room, and has been a great leader. It was great to see him play well.”
Ryan Miller, making his 11th straight start, earned his 199th NHL win. His shutout bid was spoiled when Corey Perry scored a power-play goal with 4:24 to go in regulation. Miller finished with 21 saves.
The Ducks, who won 3-0 at Boston on Monday, lost for the first time in five meetings with the Sabres. Anaheim went 2-3 on its road trip and will be off until after the Christmas break.
McElhinney made his eighth start of the season in place of No. 1 goalie Jonas Hiller, who has played an NHL-high 32 games.
The Sabres scored three goals in the first period and stretched their lead to 4-0 on Ennis’ second of the game and ninth of the season at 4:40 of the second.
BLUES 4, THRASHERS 2: Ty Conklin stopped 37 shots, Alexander Steen gave St. Louis the lead with a goal late in the second period, and the Blues won in Atlanta.
The Blues led 3-1 before Dustin Byfuglien scored for Atlanta with 7:23 remaining.
Atlanta’s best chance to pull even came when B.J. Crombeen was called for slashing with 1:58 left. The Thrashers pulled goalie Chris Mason for an extra skater, but an empty-net goal by Vladimir Sobotka in the final minute clinched the win for the Blues.
BLUE JACKETS 3, FLAMES 1: Mathieu Garon made 29 saves in his debut as the Blue Jackets’ No. 1 goalie, and Columbus snapped a four-game losing streak by winning at home.
Jakub Voracek, Jared Boll and Rostislav Klesla, scored for Columbus, which had only two wins in 12 games.
Rookie Henrik Karlsson made 34 stops in his seventh outing of the season for the Flames, who have the worst road record in the Western Conference (5-11-3). Calgary has dropped five consecutive games and nine of 11 on the road.
CAPITALS 5, DEVILS 1: Andrew Gordon had a goal and assist for his first two NHL points, and the Washington Capitals earned their second straight victory by beating the visiting Devils.
Five players scored Tuesday for the Capitals, who jumped back over Atlanta into first place in the Southeast Division. The Capitals took command with three goals in a 6:31 span of the second period. Michal Neuvirth made with 35 saves.
NOTE
New York Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro and defenseman Mike Mottau have been placed on injured reserve.
DiPietro sat out Saturday night’s game against the Phoenix Coyotes because of swelling in his right knee.
The former first-overall draft pick, who is 4-6-4 with a 3.68 goals-against average this season, is eligible to return after seven days.
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