SPOONER SCORES TWICE IN THIRD AS BRUINS TOP SABRES

buffalo, n.y.»Ryan Spooner scored twice in the final four minutes and the Boston Bruins beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 on Thursday night.

Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci also scored in the opening game of a home-and-home series. Krejci also had an assist, and Tuuka Rask made 31 saves to help the Bruins snap a two-game losing streak.

Spooner broke a tie with 3:53 remaining. He took a cross-ice pass from Krejci and beat Robin Lehner with a straightaway slap shot. Spooner scored again into an empty net in the final minute.

Marcus Foligno and Kyle Okposo scored for the Sabres. Matt Moulson assisted on both goals, and Lehner made 34 saves. Buffalo has just one regulation win in its last six games.

THURSDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS

Keith Kinkaid made 43 saves and stopped two attempts in the shootout, helping the Devils beat the Capitals 2-1. …Nazem Kadri scored on a power play 3:37 into overtime to give the Maple Leafs a 3-2 victory over Lightning. … Phillip Danault scored 39 seconds into overtime after Brendan Gallagher tied it late in the third period, leading the Canadiens over the Panthers 3-2. …Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist to lead the Blackhawks to a 3-2 victory over the Predators. …Erik Haula scored midway through the third period to help the Wild hold off the Islanders 6-4 for their 12th victory in a row. …Anthony Mantha scored at 1:07 of overtime after Bobby Ryan’s turnover to give the Red Wings a 3-2 victory over the Senators. The Senators also retired Daniel Alfredsson’s No. 11 before the game. …Alexander Wennberg had two goals and Brandon Saad also scored, helping the Blue Jackets beat the 5-3 to extend their franchise-record winning streak to 14 games. …Eric Gryba broke a tie at 6:58 of the third period and Jordan Eberle had two assists in the Oilers’ 3-1 victory over the Kings. …Matt Puempel got two of his three power-play goals late in the third period to help the Rangers avert a collapse and beat the Coyotes 6-3. …Jakob Silfverberg scored the go-ahead goal 5:37 into the third period to lead the Ducks to a 3-1 victory over the

FOOTNOTES

Panarin a priority. Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said signing Artemi Panarin to a contract extension was a “top priority” a day after locking up the high-scoring left wing with a two-year, $12 million deal.