Tim Connolly snapped a tie midway through the third period and began a run of four goals in a 3:13 span as the Buffalo Sabres rallied for a 7-4 road triumph over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday.

Drew Stafford recorded his third hat trick of the season, Thomas Vanek scored two goals and set up another and defenseman Jordan Leopold added a tally and two assists for the Sabres, who have won six of their last eight games and 10 of 12 visits to Tampa Bay.

Connolly took a pass from Tyler Ennis following a turnover in the left corner and deked Dwayne Roloson to the ice before sliding in a backhander at 10:14 for a 4-3 lead.

Vanek scored his second of the night with 8:59 to play and Stafford tallied 55 seconds later before completing his fifth career three-goal performance - and a stretch of six straight scores by the Sabres - on the power play with 6:33 remaining.

Buffalo had tied the game at 4:26 of the third on a controversial goal as Leopold fired a slap shot from the left point that got past Roloson, who was falling to the ice after being tripped by Stafford. Roloson argued to no avail as the referee ruled Stafford was pushed into the goalie by a Tampa Bay defender.

The Lightning had built a 3-1 lead on two goals by Sean Bergenheim, who was celebrating his 27th birthday, and one by captain Vincent Lecavalier. Bergenheim's first tally at 6:36 of the first opened the scoring and ended his 10-game drought.

Vanek began Buffalo's outburst late in the second with his 20th of the season.

Lecavalier added a late man-advantage goal and an assist while Roloson stopped 21 shots for the Lightning, who fell to 4-2 on their record-tying 12-game homestand.