BUFFALO, N.Y., March 28 (UPI) -- Taylor Pyatt recorded his first career hat trick and Martin Biron made 26 saves Friday night as the Buffalo Sabres downed the Montreal Canadiens, 4-1.
Montreal entered Friday's game seven points behind the New York Islanders for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Despite the loss, they remained mathematically alive, thanks to Toronto's triumph over New York.
Pyatt began his big night a minute into the contest. After missing the previous four games with a concussion, Pyatt put a shot over goaltender Mathieu Garon for his 11th tally of the season.
After Jochen Hecht doubled Buffalo's lead just 30 seconds into the second period, Pyatt netted goals 93 seconds apart to open up a four-goal cushion.
The Sabres extended their home winning streak to four games and improved to 10-6-2-4 after a franchise-record eight-game losing skid.
Yanic Perreault scored the lone goal for the Canadiens, who fell to 1-4
1 in the last six games.
