NHL: Buffalo 3, Minnesota 1

BUFFALO, N.Y., March 24 (UPI) -- Marcus Foligno's third-period tally was the game-winner for Buffalo Saturday and the Sabres helped their playoff chances with a 3-1 win over Minnesota.

Thomas Vanek also scored and Cody Hodgson added an empty-netter for the Sabres, who vaulted into the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 84 points -- two better than idle Washington.

Ryan Miller earned the win with 24 stops.

Minnesota's Steven Kampfer scored and Josh Harding allowed a pair of goals on 36 shots for the Wild.