Eichel, Sabres hang on against Flyers

BUFFALO-- Jack Eichel became the first Buffalo Sabres player to score two empty-net goals in a game, helping them defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 at KeyBank Center on Friday.

After Flyers forward Michael Raffl made it 2-1 with 2:10 left in the third period, Eichel scored an empty-net goal with 1:07 to go for a 3-1 lead. Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere made it 3-2 with 32 seconds remaining, but Eichel made it 4-2 in the final second.
"We did a good job in the third sticking with it," Eichel said. "I think there's been times this year where we've had good period and nothing to show for it after two. … Tonight we just did a good job of sticking with our game plan through the 60 minutes."
WATCH: [All Flyers vs. Sabres highlights]
Ryan O'Reilly and Evander Kane scored for the Sabres (9-19-7), who ended a three-game losing streak.

Brian Elliott made 33 saves for the Flyers (15-13-7), who have lost two of three games after winning six straight.
"We didn't win nearly enough puck races or puck battles," Philadelphia coach Dave Hakstol said. "Really, Brian Elliott gave us a chance after two periods to go out and salvage the game in the third period, but we didn't do it."
Eichel is the first player to score a game-winning goal into an empty net since Miroslav Satan in a 3-2 win against the Boston Bruins on Jan. 22, 2004, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

"You got to take them when you can," Eichel said.
Sabres goalie Robin Lehner made 12 of his 33 saves in the third period.
"You go back to all the games he's played recently on home ice, he's given us a chance to win every time he's getting in between the pipes, and we finally got some goal support for him, because they did get some good looks in the second period and [he] made some big saves for us," Buffalo coach Phil Housley said.
O'Reilly gave the Sabres a 1-0 lead at 3:59 of the third period when he took a shot from the side of the net that snuck through Elliott's pads. Kane made it 2-0 at 11:08 when he deflected a shot from Josh Gorges, who returned to the lineup after he was a healthy scratch the past two games.
"We came out really good in the second," Lehner said. "[The] other team's going to have some momentum in the game, but I think we took it back. I think we did the right things and we made them earn their opportunities. ... That's a good step forward."

Goal of the game

Kane's goal at 11:08 of the third period.

Save of the game

Lehner's save against Nolan Patrick at 16:28 of the second period.

Highlight of the game

Elliott's saves against O'Reilly, Kane and Kyle Okposo at 6:58 of the second period.

They said it

"Obviously we did some good things at home on the homestand, but it's one thing to do that at home. You have to do it on the road too. You're not going to be a playoff team if you can't win on the road." -- Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere
"I give credit to our guys, because we've been in that position before where nothing's going in and 'Here we go again' so to speak, but they stuck with it. I kept telling them to keep throwing pucks to the net, it's going to happen, and finally we broke through. We didn't get away from what we were talking about." -- Sabres coach Phil Housley

Need to know

Flyers forward Jakub Voracek had two assists to pass New York Islanders forward Josh Bailey for the NHL lead (36). … Elliott made his 10th consecutive start and has played in 19 of the past 20 games. … Lehner is 5-7-1 at home with a NHL-leading .935 save percentage and 1.94 goals-against average.

What's next

Flyers: At the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; FS-O, NBCSP, NHL.TV)
Sabres: At the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; FS-CR, MSG-B, NHL.TV)