The Buffalo Sabres snapped a six-game losing skid against the unlikeliest of opponents, beating the NHL Western Conference-leading San Jose Sharks 3-1 Saturday. Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller made 27 saves in his final tuneup before the Olympics, while Paul Gaustad, Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville all scored for Buffalo in the second period. Evgeni Nabokov, also in his last game before joining the Russian Olympic squad, made 25 stops for the Sharks and had his NHL-record 11-game road winning streak snapped. Kent Huskins scored for San Jose. Blues 4, Capitals 3, SO: In St. Louis, David Perron scored the lone goal in the shootout to lift St. Louis over Washington. Blues goalie Chris Mason stopped Alexander Semin, Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Brendan Morrison in the shootout after making 31 saves in regulation and overtime. Mike Knuble had two goals and Semin one for the Capitals, who pulled one point ahead of San Jose for the overall NHL lead with 90 points. But Washington has lost three in a row following a 14-game winning streak. Patrik Berglund, T.J. Oshie and Erik Johnson scored for St. Louis in regulation. Kings 3, Avalanche 0: In Los Angeles, Johathan Quick tied a Kings club record with his NHL-leading 34th victory of the season as Los Angeles beat Colorado. Stars 3, Coyotes 0: In Glendale, Arizona, Marty Turco made 40 saves for his fourth shutout of the season and 40th overall, helping Dallas defeat Phoenix. Blackhawks 5, Thrashers 4, SO: In Chicago, Jonathan Toews scored the lone shootout goal to give Chicago victory over Atlanta and a third straight win. Elsewhere it was: Red Wings 4, Senators 1; Flames 3, Ducks 1; Hurricanes 5, Devils 2; Flyers 6, Canadiens 2; Bruins 3, Panthers 2, SO; Islanders 5, Lightning 4.
