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NHL: Buffalo 7, Boston 4

BOSTON, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Thomas Vanek returned from a one-game absence to record a hat trick Thursday and boost Buffalo to a wild 7-4 victory over Boston.

After neither of the teams managed to score in the first period, they put on an offensive show over the final 40 minutes. The Sabres snapped a four-game losing streak and handed the Bruins their first loss in regulation this season.

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Both sides scored three times in the second period with Vanek producing two of the goals and Brad Marchand recording two for the Bruins.

Boston then took a 4-3 lead 1:45 into the final period on a backhander from David Krejci, but Buffalo produced the game's final four scores.

Alexander Sulzer tied it with 2:28 having elapsed in the third and Cody Hodgson put the Sabres in front 4 minutes later.

Vanek completed his hat trick with 1:31 to play and Jason Pominville added an empty-net goal with 14 seconds remaining. Vanek's three goals equaled his total output in his first five outings of the campaign and he added two assists.

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He sat out last Tuesday's overtime loss to Toronto with an undisclosed injury.

Ryan Miller made 38 saves to get the win while Tuukka Rask allowed six goals on 31 shots.

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