NHL: Buffalo 7, Atlanta 4

BUFFALO, N.Y., March 19 (UPI) -- Thomas Vanek and Jochen Hecht both scored twice in a six-goal third period Wednesday, powering the Buffalo Sabres past the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-4.

Jason Pominville had two goals and two assists for Buffalo, which started the period in a 4-1 hole.

Hecht's second goal went into an empty net with 54 seconds left. Derek Roy had three assists and Paul Gaustad two.

Netminder Ryan Miller escaped with a win after giving up four goals on 19 shots for the Sabres, who rose to 81 points but trail front-runner New Jersey by 10 in the Eastern Conference playoff chase.

Atlanta's Vincent Lecavalier scored twice the second period, his 38th and 39th goals. Martin St. Louis and Jeff Halpern scored once each.

Paul Ranger had two assists and Lecavalier one.

Karri Ramo yielded six goals on 31 shots for the Lightning, who are last in the Southeast Division with 66 points and lost the season series 4-0.