BUFFALO, N.Y. - Jimmy Howard made 27 saves, and the Detroit
Red Wings stretched their winning streak to seven with a 4-1
victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.
Jakub Kindl, Johan Franzen, and Valtteri Filppula scored
first-period goals for Detroit (16-7-1), which last won seven in a
row in March 2010. Pavel Datsyuk pushed the lead to 4-1 by scoring
into an empty net with 1:17 left.
Howard, making his 17th straight start, was steady throughout.
In the second period he robbed Jason Pominville, who was left alone
in the slot. He then stopped Nathan Gerbe on a breakaway in the
third.
Jochen Hecht spoiled Howard's shutout bid with 6:13 remaining.
Jhonas Enroth, making his ninth straight start in place of No. 1
goalie Ryan Miller, made 32 saves for the Sabres (13-11-1), who
have lost three of four.