NHL: Ottawa 4, Buffalo 2

OTTAWA, March 18 (UPI) -- Peter Schaefer and Bryan Smolinski each had a goal and an assist Saturday as the Ottawa Senators posted a 4-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.

Chris Kelly and Zdeno Chara also had goals for the Senators, who have won four of their last five games. Ottawa, with 96 points, hold a three-point lead over Buffalo for first place in the NHL's Northeast Division.

Ray Emery stopped 20 shots in the win for Ottawa, which also is tied with Carolina for first place in the Eastern Conference and the overall lead in the NHL.

Maxim Afinogenov had a goal and an assist and Daniel Briere had the other goal for the Sabres, who had an eight-game winning streak snapped. Ryan Miller stopped 45 of 48 shots.