SABRES 3, HURRICANES 2 (OT): Captain Jason Pominville scored a power-play goal 56 seconds into overtime as Buffalo topped Carolina to improve to 4-0-1 in its last five home games.

Thomas Vanek recorded a goal and an assist, Tyler Myers also tallied and fellow defenseman Christian Ehrhoff notched a pair of assists for the Sabres, who climbed within two points of idle Winnipeg for eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

Hurricanes defenseman Bryan Allen was called for hooking with 55 seconds remaining in the third period, but Buffalo was unable to convert before the buzzer sounded. Early in the extra session, Pominville - who also had an assist - unleashed a one-timer from the top of the left faceoff circle that beat Cam Ward for his 24th goal of the season.

Carolina took a 1-0 lead less than three minutes into the game as defenseman Jaroslav Spacek beat Ryan Miller with a one-timer from the blue line.

Myers answered 22 seconds into the second period. Ward stopped Myers' blast from the top of the right circle, but the rebound bounced off Hurricanes blue-liner Justin Faulk and into the net.

Vanek put Buffalo ahead 40 seconds later with just his fourth goal in 24 games. During a power play, Vanek was denied from the doorstep after Ward stopped Ehrhoff's slap shot but buried his own rebound for his 23rd of the season.

Carolina pulled even at 5:11 when Jeff Skinner's pass from the bottom of the left circle deflected off Chad LaRose's skate and past Miller. The tally was LaRose's second in as many contests.

Ward stopped 39 shots for the Hurricanes, who have earned at least one point in eight of nine on the road (3-1-5) and seven of eight overall (3-1-4).

GAME NOTEBOOK: Carolina captain Eric Staal failed to get on the scoresheet, ending his points streak at 12 games. Staal also had his franchise-record run of 11 straight contests with an assist halted. ... Buffalo has earned at least one point in nine of its last 10 games (7-1-2). ... The Hurricanes are 1-0-1 on their five-game road trip. Their eight victories away from home are the fewest in the league.