Sabres defeat Senators to end eight-game losing streak

BUFFALO-- The Buffalo Sabres ended an eight-game losing streak with a 5-2 win against the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center on Thursday.

Jack Eichel had a goal and two assists for the Sabres (32-39-10), who won in regulation for the first time since Feb. 23 against the Washington Capitals. Carter Hutton made 21 saves.
"It's important that we were able to come out tonight, have a good effort for the fans," Eichel said. "It's nice that they were able to pack it and come support us one last time here. It's good that we were able to get a win and score some goals and make it an exciting game."
WATCH: [All Senators vs. Sabres highlights]
Joey Daccord made 35 saves in his NHL debut for Ottawa (29-46-6).
"I felt pretty good," the 22-year-old said. "Obviously I really wanted the win. It was just an awesome experience to soak it all in there. … It was good for me to see what I need to get my game to and what the level of my game needs to be at if I want to be in this league for a long time."
Sam Reinhart gave Buffalo a 3-2 lead at 8:26 of the second when he received a no-look backhand pass in the slot from Eichel.

Eichel slid a rebound by Daccord's left leg to extend it to 4-2 at 11:06 of the third period, and Jason Pominville pushed it to 5-2 from the right wall at 12:57.
"I've really enjoyed every moment," said Pominville, who received a standing ovation after his goal and its announcement. "I don't know what the future holds, but enjoy the next couple of days and hopefully get another win."
Pominville was possibly playing his final home game for the Sabres. The 36-year-old can become a free agent this offseason.
"I'm so happy for him, not because he scored, but just the way that line played tonight," Buffalo coach Phil Housley said. "They were tenacious, got a couple good looks. I know the goal he scored wasn't one of those highlight reels. But just a great guy, great human. It was great to see him contribute tonight."
Anthony Duclair tipped in Cody Ceci's shot from the blue line to give the Senators a 1-0 lead at 2:03 of the first period.

Victor Olofsson tied it 1-1 when he one-timed a pass from Eichel in the right circle on the power play at 8:40.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau gave Ottawa a 2-1 lead 30 seconds later. Hutton made a save on Mikkel Boedker that popped up, and the goalie had his back turned toward Pageau, who was first to find the puck.
"We got off to the start that we wanted and we played the way that we wanted to in the first period," Senators coach Marc Crawford said. "It's one of those games tonight where we gave up the two power-play goals and that was a big part of how they got back into the game. From that standpoint, I thought we stayed in it, we felt really comfortable until halfway through the third when they got their fourth goal."
The Sabres power play scored again to tie it 2-2 at 6:12 of the second. Conor Sheary's shot hit the skate of Senators defenseman Christian Jaros and bounced to Kyle Okposo.

They said it

"We're not going to make any excuses. We're pros and have to be ready for back to backs. Just have to be a little more focused on holding on to the puck a little bit more and be more patient and confident with the puck and believe in ourselves that we can make plays." -- Senators forward Brady Tkachuk
"He's just a really good friend, somebody you can talk to a lot about anything. He just brings such a good attitude to the rink every day. He's been a steady influence for everyone, through all the ups and downs. He's somebody who just goes about his business every day. We can learn a lot from him and the type of professional he is. So, he's meant a lot to me, to this organization, this city, this team." -- Sabres captain Jack Eichel on Jason Pominville

Need to know

Pominville scored his 217th goal for the Sabres to pass Don Luce for 10th in Buffalo history. ... Eichel (28 goals, 52 assists) became the first Sabres player to reach 80 points since Pominville and Derek Roy each did so in 2007-08. ... The Senators allowed two power-play goals for the first time since March 20. They had killed 14 of 15 opportunities in the seven games since. ... Jaros left the game at 7:06 of the second period with a leg injury. Crawford did not have an update. ... Daccord was the No. 199 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.

What's next

Senators: Host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday (7 p.m. ET, SN360, CITY, TVAS2, FS-O NHL.TV)
Sabres: At the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday (7 p.m. ET, FS-D, MSG-B, NHL.TV)