Buffalo continues dominance of Ottawa

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Stu Barnes scored with 57 seconds left to give Buffalo a 3-2 victory Saturday night over the Ottawa Senators, the Sabres' first win in the post-Dominik Hasek era.

Barnes, the Sabres' new captain, heard chants of "Stuuuuuuu" after jamming in the game-winner in front of the net.

Tim Connolly brought Buffalo into a 2-2 tie, scoring on an odd-man rush 27 seconds into the third period.

Buffalo continued its recent dominance against division rival Ottawa, which is winless against the Sabres in six meetings.

Martin Biron earned his first win as the Sabres No. 1 goalie, stopping 30 shots. Biron took over the top spot, which was held by Hasek until the six-time Vezina Trophy winner was traded to Detroit in the offseason.

Biron protected his victory by turning away Daniel Alfredsson, who was alone in front of the goal midway through the third period.

Maxim Afinogenov gave Buffalo a 1-0 lead in the first period, but Todd White tipped in a second effort midway through the second to tie it. Marian Hossa scored his second goal of the season, on a power play, at 17:14 to give the Senators a 2-1 advantage.

Buffalo went 0-for-8 on the power play and is only 1-for-16 in two games this season. The Sabres, who managed only one goal against Atlanta in the season opener, again overpassed the puck against Ottawa.

Fans repeatedly yelled "Shoot it!" during a first-period power play. After a missed shot on another power play in the second period, a frustrated Chris Gratton responded by tussling with Senators defenseman Shane Hnidy.

Ottawa's Patrick Lalime made 27 saves.

Notes: Ottawa was without left wing Magnus Arvedson (right thigh), left wing Chris Herperger (ankle) and defenseman Karel Rachunek (deep back bruise). . . . In honor of the Sept. 11 terrorist victims, the Sabres and the New York Rangers will each wear special "New York" jerseys when they meet in New York on Sunday. . . . With every Sabres player under contract, Buffalo signed general manager Darcy Reiger to a six-year deal.