NEWARK, N.J., April 11 (UPI) -- Jamie Langenbrunner's goal with 3 seconds left Sunday gave the New Jersey Devils a 2-1 win over Buffalo and the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Sabres needed to win the game in regulation time to vault past New Jersey and gain the higher seed in the last regular-season games for both teams -- a single point for a tie would have given the Devils the second seed.
With the scored tied 1-1 and time running out, Buffalo pulled goalie Patrick Lalime to add an extra attacker. As Lalime was heading to the bench, however, Langenbrunner picked up a loose puck and fired it into the empty to gain the win for New Jersey.
Travis Zajac got the other goal for the Devils, who will face seventh-seeded Philadelphia in the first round of the playoffs.
Thomas Vanek got Buffalo's only goal -- his fifth in two games -- and Lalime notched 32 saves as the Sabres finished third and drew Boston in the opening round of the playoffs.
