Thomas Vanek had two goals and an assist and Mikael Tellqvist stopped 34 shots Saturday in the Buffalo Sabres' 6-1 win over Boston. Matt Ellis and Tim Connolly had a goal and an assist apiece for the Sabres (41-32-9), who won three straight to end their regular season but fell short of making the playoffs. Mark

Martin Brodeur survived a 23-shot third period Saturday to lead the New Jersey Devils to a 3-2 victory against the Buffalo Sabres. The loss was critical for the faint playoff hopes of the Sabres, and their 23 third-period shots illustrated their desperation in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. With 85 points, the Sabres trail the New York Rangers by four in the battle for the eighth final playoff spot in the East. New Jersey's goals were scored by David Clarkson (unassisted) and Zach Parise (power play), both in the first, and Jamie Langenbrunner in the second. Brodeur made 35 saves on 37 shots.

Tim Connolly scored the game-winner in a four-goal third period Wednesday in the Buffalo Sabres' 5-3 comeback win over the Florida Panthers. Florida led 3-1 before Jason Pominville started Buffalo's comeback with his 16th goal this season at 6:14 of the third. Clarke MacArthur's 14th at 7:05 created a 3-3 tie. Connolly's 14th (power play) gave Buffalo a 4-3 lead at 8:21 before Maxim Afinogenov 5 (empty net, unassisted) capped the scoring. Pominville also had two assists.

Ryan Callahan's 18th and 19th goals Saturday helped the New York Rangers record a 5-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Markus Naslund (22), Chris Drury (18) (power play) and Nikolai Zherdev (21) also scored goals.

Scott Hartnell and Jeff Carter scored two goals each Tuesday to pace the Philadelphia Flyers to a 5-2 win over Buffalo. Mike Richards had the other goal. Hartnell, Joffrey Lupul and Kimmo Timonen each had two assists for the Flyers, who have won three of their last four games.