Hot Sabres sneak past Habs in OT

Tyler Ennis had two goals, including one so spectacular even Nathan Gerbe might not have stopped it. Tyler Myers, however, scored the goal that was most important. His gave the Buffalo Sabres another victory. Myers scored 2:01 into overtime Monday, lifting the Sabres to a 3-2 win over Montreal in First Niagara Center. The Sabres shook off the Canadiens’ tying tally with 3.5 seconds left and improved to 9-2-2 in their last 13 games. They pulled within two points of eighth-place Washington, which was idle, with 12 games left. "The way we responded after a late goal like that, it’s a big step for our group," Myers said. "It’s going to come right down to the end. We’ve got to battle for every two points." The game needed extra time after the Canadiens stunned the Sabres and their sellout crowd with a few ticks left in regulation. Myers made sure the 18,690 fans headed to the exits on a high. He joined a rush, took Derek Roy’s cross-ice pass and went top shelf on Montreal goaltender Peter Budaj for the winner. "It took us a little longer than it would have liked, but good job by the boys on the two points," said Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller, who made 26 saves. The other half of the Tyler and Tyler show had the most impressive night. Ennis had his first two-goal outing in almost a year, tying the game in the second and putting Buffalo ahead early in the third. Ennis brought his totals to six goals and 11 points in the last 14 games. He had four goals and seven points in his opening 22. The turnaround coincides with a move from left wing to center. "That’s really, for the most part, his home to stay," coach Lindy Ruff said. "I really think his creativity really shows, and he’s been able to play pretty well down low for us." Now Ennis needs to bring the offensive output to his mini-stick game. He spent Monday morning lamenting his losing streak to Gerbe. Ennis said his fellow Buffalo forward hosts the living-room hockey games, and Gerbe always heads to his closet before the contests to put on baggy clothes. The extra gear allows the stocky winger to cover all of the small cage, preventing Ennis from finding any net. "I’m shutting him out pretty good right now," Gerbe said. "He’s hasn’t beat me yet. I think I’m 9-0. He thinks I wear too big of clothes, but there’s no regulation on that. I know his moves." Ennis’ moves Monday would have worked against any other goalie. His first goal of the night will be remembered as one of the prettiest of the season. It pulled the Sabres into a 1-1 tie and put Ennis onto the highlight reels. He picked up the puck near the Canadiens’ blue line and headed toward the left circle. Ennis faked a slap shot to draw Andrei Markov near, then cut right and sped around the defenseman. He showed backhand to Budaj only to go to his forehand at the top the crease, the change giving him room to lift the puck home with 8:52 left in the second. The crowd rose to its feet with a roar, then strained its neck skyward to see multiple replays on the scoreboard. "It’s nice to swing through and get the puck in the middle with speed," Ennis said. "I was originally just going to shoot, then I saw he was kind of flat-footed so I thought I’d make that move." Would it have worked against Gerbe? "Absolutely not," Ennis said. "He’s too big." Ennis gave the Sabres a 2-1 lead with 1:50 gone in the third. The center’s second of the night was more luck than skill. He tried to feed teammate Marcus Foligno during a two-on-two rush, but Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin deflected the pass and sent it soaring past a helpless Budaj, who made 33 stops. The goal gave Ennis 10 for the season. It was his first two-goal game since March 13, 2011. Montreal, though, refused to fold. The Canadiens took 12 of their 25 shots in regulation during the third. The one that gave them an even dozen came with just 3.5 seconds left and tied the game. The Sabres chased the puck throughout their zone during the closing seconds, but Montreal kept gaining control. Erik Cole pushed the puck to the front three times, and the final one landed on the stick of David Desharnais in the slot. He found the net before Miller could scramble across the crease. The goal merely postponed the Sabres’ celebration. "I noticed I had a chance to beat their third man down the ice," Myers said. "Luckily, I was able to, and Roysie made a great play." Said Ennis: "It was tough to give up that late goal, but we stayed calm. Millsie came to the bench and told us we’ve got to get this win and get it done, forget about it. It didn’t take us too long."