Sabres still alive, barely

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Andrej Sekera was unsure whether his 50-foot shot that sealed the Buffalo Sabres' victory hit anyone on its way into the net. The rookie defenseman also didn't care.

All that mattered was Sekera's goal -- scored 39 seconds into overtime -- sealed a 2-1 win over the Boston Bruins on Sunday, and kept alive Buffalo's threadbare playoff hopes entering the final week of the season. A loss in their regular-season home finale, and the Sabres would've been done.

"It's an awesome feeling, it's unbelievable, I can't describe it," Sekera said. "But the most important point is we get the two points. We're not dead yet."

No, but they're still barely alive. With 86 points and three games left, Buffalo remains in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings, five points back of a three-team logjam for sixth place that now includes the Bruins.

"We're not going to get ahead of ourselves," said Ryan Miller, who made 17 saves. "We're going to need some help, but we have to help ourselves first or else it's all a moot point."

Thomas Vanek set up the decisive goal, driving up the left wing before coming to a stop in the circle and feeding Sekera, who was trailing just inside the blue line. Sekera then one-timed a 50-footer that glanced off Boston forward Glen Murray and caromed in off the left post behind Alex Auld.

The goal was only the second of Sekera's career. He was called up from the minors earlier this month to bolster a banged-up defense, that's still minus two regulars.