Hodgson, Deslauriers help Sabres beat Sharks 2-1
Cody Hodgson and Nicolas Deslauriers each scored their first goal of the season early in the third period and the Buffalo Sabres continued their dominance over San Jose, beating the Sharks 2-1 Saturday.
Michal Neuvirth saved 29 of 30 shots to earn his first win over the Sharks in four games and help end Buffalo's four-game losing streak and give the Sabres their second victory of the season.
Brent Burns scored for the Sharks, who have lost four straight. Alex Stalock stopped 13 of 15 shots.
The Sabres, who were outscored 11-1 during their losing streak, won their seventh straight over the Sharks, including the past four in San Jose. The Sharks last beat Buffalo on their home ice in January 2010.
Following a scoreless first two periods, the Sabres and Sharks combined to score three goals within 2:27 of each other in the final period.
Hodgson took a pass from Drew Stafford, who was behind the net. Hodgson was able to tap the puck to himself for an open shot to Stalock's stick side.
A little more two minutes later, Deslauries was in the right place to pick up a rebound and slap it past Stalock. Cody McCormick took the original shot that ricocheted off Stalock's pads to Deslauries' stick.
Burns scored 13 seconds later after picking off a clearing pass, skating across ice and firing it through traffic from 35 feet away.
Both teams made changes to their lines, the Sabres to create offense and the Sharks to create defense. They were both successful.
The Sharks had allowed 14 goals in their previous three games.
Buffalo is still looking for its first power-play goal of the season after failing on three tries against the Sharks, which included about 20 seconds of a 5-on-3 advantage.
NOTES: Sharks F Erian Hayes was assigned to AHL Worchester before the game. . Hodgson has a team-best five goals against the Sharks in eight games. F Chris Stewart has three goals and seven assists in 20 games against San Jose. . Burns has recorded a point in all but two games this season.
