BUFFALO, N.Y., March 26 (UPI) -- Jason Spezza had a goal and an assist Friday in boosting Ottawa to a 4-2 win over Buffalo that kept the Sabres from clinching a playoff berth.
The Senators moved within five points of Buffalo for the lead in the Northeast Division. Buffalo, however, has two games in hand.
Spezza's power-play goal with 5:57 left in the second period gave Ottawa a 3-1 lead and turned out to be the game-winner. He tipped in a shot from the point by Daniel Alfredsson.
Brian Elliott, who had produced shutouts in his previous two starts, made 41 saves in the victory.
Ottawa won its third straight, its longest victory streak since capturing a club-record 11 in a row from Jan. 14-Feb. 4. The Senators moved three points in front of Montreal for fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
Ryan Miller stopped 27 shots for Buffalo, which had won its previous four games. The Senators have defeated Buffalo nine straight times, five of those victories coming this season.
They have one meeting remaining scheduled in Ottawa on April 10.
