Daniel Briere scored twice and the Buffalo Sabres hung on for a 4-3 victory Wednesday night over the visiting Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.
“We knew we had to improve our play” after Monday’s 4-3 loss in Carolina, Briere said. “We knew we had to make a bigger difference and we did.”
Ales Kotalik had a goal and assist, and Chris Drury also scored to give the Sabres a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals series.
Buffalo rallied with four consecutive goals to take a 4-1 lead 13 minutes into the second period, taking advantage of Carolina’s lack of discipline.
Buffalo converted two of seven power-play chances, while Kotalik’s eventual winner came on a delayed penalty.
Carolina’s Eric Staal cut Buffalo’s lead to 4-3 with 4:08 left.
But Buffalo weathered the final flurry in which Carolina outshot the Sabres 11-4 in the third period and 3-0 in the last 2 minutes.
Game 4 of the best-of-seven series is Friday at Buffalo. All three games have been decided by one goal.
One-timers: Francois Giguere is returning to the Avalanche as general manager. Giguere, 42, began his career with the franchise in 1990 and worked in various front-office positions until joining the Stars as an assistant general manager five years ago. He’ll replace Avalanche President Pierre Lacroix, who relinquished his GM duties on May 12. . . . Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios, 44, will be back for another season after signing a one-year contract that will pay him $850,000, according to the Detroit Free Press.
