Avalanche hang on to defeat Sabres

Buffalo: Tyson Jost and Gabriel Bourque converted rebounds less than four minutes apart in the third period and the Colorado Avalanche avoided a late collapse by hanging on for a 5-4 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday night.

Colin Wilson had a goal and assist, while Alexander Kerfoot and Matt Nieto, on a short-handed breakaway, also scored in a game the Avalanche never trailed. Jonathan Bernier stopped 28 shots and the Avalanche won for the third time in nine games (3-5-1).

The five goals against Buffalo matched Colorado’s combined output in going 1-3 in its previous four outings.

Ryan O’Reilly and Evander Kane scored in the final 7:46 after Buffalo fell behind 5-2. O’Reilly added two assists, Casey Nelson and Benoit Pouliot scored short-handed goals and Robin Lehner stopped 22 shots for Buffalo.