When the fourth and final meeting between the Devils and Sabres went into overtime, Buffalo was thinking, "Here we go again." However, Buffalo overcame its early season woes to New Jersey and finally found a way to win in the shootout period. After squadering a 2-0 lead in regulation, the Sabres regrouped for a 3-2 effort.

The Devils overcame a 2-0 deficit again with two more unlikely heroes. For the second time in three games, defensemen produced a season-high two goals. Karel Rachunek and Mike Mottau contributed goals for the Devils, sending this game into sudden death.

In the third period, Mottau attempted to deliver a pass to teammate John Madden that never made it to him. Rather, the puck deflected off Sabres blueliner Dimitri Kalinin and past goalie Ryan Miller. Madden and Pandolfo assisted on Mottau's third of the season at 6:16. Mottau was riding a 17-game scoreless streak before the fortunate bounce went his way.

Rachunek used a more traditional method to beat Miller. Brian Gionta, whose name people have mentioned in recent trade discussions, sent a perfect feed to Rachunek, who halved the Sabres lead with a wrister from atop the right circle.

With two goals in his last three games, Rachunek has been heating up lately. Madden helped Rachunek's third of the season at 15:25 of the middle frame.

Buffalo had opened the scoring 2:30 into the game. Michael Ryan tipped in his fourth, assisted by Henrik Tallinder and Adam Mair. Although the Sabres led 10-4 in shots after one, they only lead 1-0.

In the process, the Sabres swarming defense did not allow a shot on goal the last 14 minutes of the opening period. (hat tip to Garth of Hockeybuzz)

Although both teams managed just 6 shots apiece in the second stanza, they each tallied 1 goal.

At 8:04, Jason Pominville extended the Sabres lead to 2-0 with a puck that deflected off his skates and past Martin Brodeur. The referees reviewed and upheld the questionable goal. Daniel Paille and Jochen Hecht assisted on Pominville’s 14th of the season.

After Rachunek and Mottau converted, the Devils had many chances in the third to sweep the season series 4-0. But, Miller made 15 saves in the final period, keeping the game knotted at 2-2.

In overtime, both teams only took 1 shot apiece, barely making either goaltender sweat.

The Devils had confidence, having won the past three contests against the Sabres, who reached into their bag of tricks and used a defenseman in the shootout.

Offenseman Drew Stafford beat Brodeur and d-man Tallinder added his first career shootout tally, while Miller stopped Gionta’s wrister and Parise missed on his attempt. Miller

Brodeur made 20 saves in the los; Miller stopped 24 shots in earning his 23rd win of the season.

With the win, the Sabres improved to 5-0-1 in their last six games. They also moved within two points of the eight seed in the Eastern Conference. Buffalo hosts Boston and Florida this weekend.

Despite the loss, the Devils gained an important point, jumping ahead of idle-Pittsburgh in the “no room for error” Atlantic Division. Since Philadelphia dropped a 4-3 decision to red-hot Washington, only five points separate four teams in the standings. The Rangers, who lost on Tuesday night, remain in fourth place with 60 points. The Penguins have 63, the Devils 64, and the Flyers lead the five-member league with 65 points. In fact, the Flyers are the division’s most consistent team lately, going 7-3-0 in their last 10 games. The lonely Islanders have faded to fifth with 54 points and a 1-6-1 record in their past 8 games.

Notes:

With Jay Pandolfo back in the lineup, head coach Brent Sutter continues to sit Sheldon Brookbank, Andy Greene and Arron Asham as healthy scratches.

Both teams went 0-2 on the power play.

Madden's assist gives him a three-game five-point streak (all helpers).

The Devils had not lost a game in which they were perfect on the penalty kill since Jan. 18.

The remain as one of the top teams in the league when not allowing a power play goal at 17-6-1. But, their record when not scoring on the man advantage is a mere 12-15-4. New Jersey is 18-5-0 when talling a power play effort.

Season Series (Devils win 3-0-1, Sabres lose 1-0-3):

02.07.08--> Devils overcome 2-0 deficit, fall in shootout, still win season series 3-0-1

12.28.08--> Parise schools Ryan Miller in shootout, Devils win 2-1

01.08.08--> Buffalo ties game at 1-1 with 1:37 left in regulation. Gionta and Elias score in shootout, while Brodeur stops two of three Sabres skaters.

01.12.08--> Same Team, Same Result for Devils

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