Sabres 1 - 4 Senators
Final
  for this game

Senators top Sabres

Dec 21, 2011 - 7:54 AM Ottawa, ON (Sports Network) - Erik Condra scored the go-ahead goal at the 7:59 mark of the third period as the Ottawa Senators defeated the Buffalo Sabres, 4-1, at Scotiabank Place.

Zack Smith and Erik Karlsson also tallied for Ottawa, which has won three of its last four games.

Condra also added an empty-netter and Craig Anderson stopped 22-of-23 shots for the win.

"I thought we did a real good job of sticking to the game plan and doing it for the full 60 minutes and not being distracted when the momentum shifted one way or the other. We did a real good job of getting momentum back on our side and our team game was really solid," Ottawa head coach Paul MacLean said.

Jordan Leopold netted the long goal for the Sabres, who have dropped four of their past five games.

Ryan Miller made 35 saves in the loss.

On the go-ahead tally, Kyle Turris threw a shot on net from the right circle following a Buffalo giveaway in its own zone. Turris followed his own rebound and took another shot, which fluttered onto the other side of the crease. Condra got control of the puck and put it home with Miller out of position.

Ottawa took a 3-1 lead on the power play to seal the win with 2:11 to go. After a slap shot by Jason Spezza from the left point, Daniel Alfredsson corralled the rebound. He made a quick feed to Karlsson in the crease and he stuffed it into the open net.

Condra's empty-netter came with 1:46 left.

"It could have been one of those nights where we could grind it out on the road, but it just didn't wind up that way," said Miller.

Chris Neil broke free on a breakaway and Miller made a nice save with his left pad, but Smith followed up and chipped home the rebound to give Ottawa a 1-0 lead with 8:12 left in the first period.

The Sabres tied the score on the power play 13:12 into the second period. Thomas Vanek provided the screen in front and Leopold's wrister from the left circle slid beneath the pads of Anderson.

Game Notes

Marcus Foligno, the younger brother of Ottawa's Nick Foligno, made his NHL debut for the Sabres...Neil recorded his 100th career assist...The Sabres had won their last five games at Scotiabank Place...Turris played in his first game for Ottawa after being acquired from the Phoenix Coyotes for David Rundblad.






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