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Sabres offer cure for Red Wings' woes

Nov 25, 2013 - 3:58 AM Buffalo, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Johan Franzen broke a third-period tie with a power-play goal and the Detroit Red Wings went on to beat the Buffalo Sabres, 3-1, at First Niagara Center.

Franzen let go a shot from the right circle and the puck deflected off the leg of Buffalo defenseman Alexander Sulzer and fluttered past Ryan Miller at the 11:43 mark.

The Sabres had a chance to pull even on a later man advantage, but couldn't convert with Stephen Weiss serving time for a tripping penalty.

Daniel Alfredsson, back in the lineup after a five-game absence due to a groin injury, scored an empty-netter with 49 seconds left to seal just the second win in the last 10 games for Detroit.

The Red Wings were without forward Pavel Datsyuk, who didn't make the trip to Buffalo because of a possible concussion.

Jonas Gustavsson denied Steve Ott on a penalty shot in the second period, one of 21 saves by the Detroit goaltender.

"So far I think the guys have been helping me a lot," Gustavsson said. "That's what you need as a goalie. You need the guys to help you and sometimes you want to help them too."

Miller stopped 31 shots in Buffalo's fourth straight loss.

"You can't just be satisfied with a little glimmer of what we feel is the right way to play," Miller said. "We have to not let teams back in the game."

The Sabres grabbed a 1-0 lead on a first-period tally by Cody Hodgson. Drew Stafford picked off a pass in the Detroit zone and dished down low to Hodgson, who stickhandled around a prone Gustavsson and tucked the puck around the right post at the 7:47 mark.

Darren Helm tied the game by scoring in his third consecutive game. He spun around in the slot and whipped a backhander while falling down behind Miller 30 seconds into the second period.

Game Notes

Henrik Zetterberg recorded his 700th career point with the primary assist on Franzen's goal ... The Red Wings have won 11 of the last 13 meetings.