>NHL roundup: Sabres beat slumping Flyers

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The Flyers are losing games and their grip on the Eastern Conference lead.

The Sabres are the latest team outside the playoff picture to thrust themselves into contention for the final spot in the East by outplaying the slumping Flyers.

Jason Pominville snapped a tie in the third period after the Sabres scored three times in the second in a 5-3 victory over Philadelphia on Saturday.

Drew Stafford, Tyler Ennis and Andrej Sekera scored three straight goals in the second to put the Sabres ahead. Ryan Miller (East Lansing) bounced back from a shaky first period to stop 33 shots. Nathan Gerbe added an empty-netter late in the third.

N.Y. ISLANDERS 5, ST. LOUIS 2: Defenseman Andrew MacDonald scored two goals, John Tavares and P.A. Parenteau both had a goal and an assist in the first period, and the host Islanders sent the Blues to their fourth straight loss.

VANCOUVER 3, L.A. KINGS 1: Daniel Sedin scored the tiebreaking goal with 8:24 to play, Roberto Luongo made 21 saves, and Vancouver opened a five-game road trip with a victory.

ATLANTA 4, FLORIDA 3 (OT): Andrew Ladd netted his second goal of the game in overtime, and Blake Wheeler also scored twice for the visiting Thrashers, who snapped a two-game skid.

MONTREAL 4, TAMPA BAY 2: Max Pacioretty scored two goals and Carey Price made 43 saves to lead the visiting Canadiens to their fourth straight win. The Southeast Division-leading Lightning has lost three in a row.

CHICAGO 5, TORONTO 3: Jonathan Toews scored a goal to extend his points streak to nine games and the visiting Blackhawks won their eighth straight game.

PITTSBURGH 3, BOSTON 2 (OT): Dustin Jeffrey scored his second goal of the game 1:52 into overtime and the visiting Penguins snapped the Bruins’ winning streak at seven.