NHL: Buffalo 3, Montreal 2

BUFFALO, N.Y., Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Tim Connolly scored the game-winner early in the third period Friday night and Ryan Miller made 35 saves to give the Buffalo Sabres a 3-2 victory over Montreal.

Buffalo won its fifth straight home game, surviving a late flurry during which Roman Hamrlik brought the Canadiens within a goal by scoring with 3:26 left in regulation.

Jaroslav Spacek and Nathan Paetsch also scored for Buffalo, which moved within three points of Montreal for second place in the Northeast Division.

Montreal has lost six of its last eight games. Carey Price allowed three goals on 22 shots to take the loss.

Miller stopped Maxim Lapierre on a breakaway chance with a minute to play to preserve the victory.