Sabres 2, Lightning 1 (SO): Cody Hodgson and Tyler Ennis each converted in the shootout as Buffalo edged visiting Tampa Bay for its third straight victory.

Zemgus Girgensons netted his eighth goal late in regulation to forge a tie for the Sabres, who have won six of their last seven contests after a 3-13-2 start. Jhonas Enroth turned aside 26 shots and denied both of Tampa Bay's chances in the bonus format to win for the fifth time in his last six decisions.

Ondrej Palat scored his seventh goal for the Lightning, who almost won it with five seconds left in regulation as captain Steven Stamkos rang a shot off the right post. Evgeni Nabokov made 21 saves in his sixth start of the season as Tampa Bay saw its four-game winning streak come to an end.

Tyler Johnson took a nifty pass from Nikita Kucherov at the blue line, swung wide around a fallen Buffalo defender in the right faceoff circle and set up Palat in the crease 9:52 into the third period. Girgensons tied the game with 3:54 left in regulation, chipping a rebound high over Nabokov.

Nabokov made seven saves and the Lightning killed two power plays in a scoreless first period while managing only two shots on goal. Tampa Bay responded by posting 16 shots in the second session and Enroth managed to stop all of them, including several point-blank chances.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Sabres improved to 4-1 in the shootout, including wins in their last two games. … Buffalo D Josh Gorges returned to the lineup after missing seven games with a knee injury and assisted on Girgensons' goal. … The Lightning announced the signing of D Anthony DeAngelo, a first-round pick last June, to a three-year entry-level contract.