WATCH: All Red Wings vs. Sabres highlights
The Red Wings (9-10-1) ended a four-game losing streak.
"It's a big deal to get two points," Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. "When you haven't had enough points, you've got to find a way to win, and sometimes it's not as pretty as you want it to be and there are moments where it wasn't pretty, but we found a way to two points, and that's a good thing for us. We've got to build on it and get better."
It was the first loss for the Sabres (7-8-5) in three games.
Howard made 11 saves in the third period, and then had three in overtime, two against Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen and one against Ryan O'Reilly, who returned to the lineup after missing five games with an oblique injury.
"It feels good; just feels good coming into the room after that," Howard said. "[It's] feeling like a lot of weight lifting off our shoulders. It feels good going into Thanksgiving."
Nyquist gave the Red Wings a 1-0 lead at 16:00 of the second period, beating Lehner (23 saves) with a one-timer on a 2-on-1 with Vanek for his fourth goal of the season, first in 14 games.
"Vanek and Nyquist think the game offensively at a real high level, and I think [Vanek] as the game went along got better and better," Blashill said. "To me, the second and third period looked like the way he played the beginning of the season and when he does that he's an excellent hockey player. He's got a lot of ability. He was the fifth overall pick for a reason and I think that line can be a real good offensive line for us."
Brian Gionta tied it 1-1 1:42 into the third period when he drove the net after a shot by Evander Kane. The puck bounced off Howard before going off Gionta's foot and into the net.
Blashill challenged the goal, claiming goaltender interference, but it was determined by video review that Howard was not interfered with before the puck crossed the line.
