By Canadian Press

Red Wings beat Sabres 4-1, ending 7-game losing streak to boost chance at a wild-card spot

Mar 16, 2024 | 12:30 PM

DETROIT (AP) — Patrick Kane scored a tiebreaking goal late in the second period and James Reimer stopped 25 shots, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 4-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday in a matchup of teams vying for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Detroit earned a desperately needed win after losing seven straight games in regulation for the first time since early in the 2019-20 season. The slump dropped the Red Wings out of a favorable position to end a postseason drought that dates to 2016.

Buffalo had won three straight, including a 7-3 win over Detroit, to improve its chances of rallying into a playoff spot for the first time since 2011.

Tage Thompson had a power play goal midway through the first period to put Buffalo ahead.

Christian Fischer scored in the second period for Detroit.

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The Red Wings pulled away with two goals in the third period, taking a 3-1 lead with 6:08 left when Daniel Sprong scored — a game after he was a healthy scratch — with 6:08 remaining and sealing the victory with Lucas Raymond’s empty-net goal.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen finished with 22 saves for Buffalo.

UP NEXT

Sabres: At Seattle on Monday night.

Red Wings: At Pittsburgh on Sunday night.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Larry Lage, The Associated Press