NHL Roundup

Sabres 4, Lightning 2

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Thomas Vanek scored twice, including his league-leading 22d goal, in Buffalo's comeback win over Tampa Bay.

Vanek snapped a 2-2 second-period tie with his second goal of the game on the power play, sending the Sabres to victory in front of a crowd that included former President Bill Clinton, a guest of Sabres owner B. Thomas Golisano's.

Tampa Bay 2 0 0 – 2

Buffalo 1 2 1 – 4

First period:

1, Tampa Bay, St. Louis 8 (Stamkos), 10:21. 2, Tampa Bay, Recchi 7 (Ranger, Szczechura), 16:18. 3, Buffalo, Stafford 5 (Spacek, Pominville), 19:22 (pp).

Penalties:

Konopka, TB (interference), 14:51; Buffalo bench, served by Gerbe (too many men), 16:13; Artyukhin, TB (roughing), 18:18; Craig, TB, served by Downie (roughing, delay of game, fighting), 18:18; Paille, Buf (roughing), 18:18; Gaustad, Buf, major (fighting), 18:18.

Second period:

4, Buffalo, Vanek 21 (Kotalik), 11:52. 5, Buffalo, Vanek 22 (Roy, Pominville), 19:45 (pp).

Penalties:

Konopka, TB, major (fighting), 3:52; Mair, Buf, major (fighting), 3:52; Afinogenov, Buf (tripping), 8:13; Artyukhin, TB (roughing), 18:59.

Third period:

6, Buffalo, Pominville 9 (Hecht), 19:47 (en-sh).

Penalties:

Miller, Buf, served by Afinogenov (delay of game), 4:57; Tampa Bay bench, served by Smolenak (too many men), 7:09; Malik, TB (holding), 17:07; Kotalik, Buf (boarding), 19:15.

Shots on Goal:

Tampa Bay 10-7-11–28. Buffalo 10-16-11–37.

Power-play opportunities:

Tampa Bay 0 of 4; Buffalo 2 of 6.

Goalies:

Tampa Bay, Smith 5-10-7 (36 shots-33 saves). Buffalo, Miller 13-7-2 (28-26).

Referees:

Mike Hasenfratz, Dan O'Halloran.

Linesmen:

David Brisebois, Greg Devorski.

Attendance:

18,431 (18,690).

Time:

2:36.