NHL: Ottawa 5, Buffalo 3

BUFFALO, N.Y., Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Dany Heatley put Ottawa in front with 4:41 to play Friday and the Ottawa Senators went on to defeat Buffalo 5-3.

The Senators blew a three-goal lead, but prevailed down the stretch to end a two-game losing streak.

Heatley, Andrej Meszaros, Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson all had a goal and an assist. Cody Bass scored the other goal and Ray Emery made 36 saves.

Buffalo's Ryan Miller gave up three goals on 16 shots before being replaced by Jocelyn Thibault, who finished with nine saves.

The Sabres have lost five games in a row, their longest such skid of the season, and have scored only eight goals in that stretch.

Ales Kotalik cut Buffalo's deficit to 3-1 in the second period and the Sabres tied it in the third on goals by Jochen Hecht and Michael Ryan.

Heatley, however, put Ottawa back in front with a slap shot that soared over the shoulder of Thibault. Alfredsson scored exactly two minutes later to clinch the victory.