Blues 2, Sabres 1: Brian Elliott came within 56 seconds of his 26th career shutout as host St. Louis set a franchise record for wins and strengthened its hold on the top seed in the Western Conference.

Maxim Lapierre scored early in the second period and Brenden Morrow added an insurance tally with just under two minutes remaining in the third as the Blues won their 52nd game to move three points clear of Anaheim for the best record in the West. Elliott turned aside 24 shots to improve to 10-0-2 lifetime against Buffalo and pull St. Louis into a tie with Boston in the Presidents' Trophy race.

Cody Hodgson scored a power-play goal in the final minute for the Sabres, who lost for the 12th time in 14 games. Rookie netminder Nathan Lieuwen made 26 saves in the loss.

After a scoreless first period, the Blues opened the scoring 1:59 into the second. Ryan Reaves grabbed the puck after a faceoff and circled the net before sliding a pass to Lapierre, who beat Lieuwen from the slot with a wrist shot.

Morrow doubled the lead with 1:52 remaining in the third, tipping Vladimir Sobotka's shot past Lieuwen. Hodgson halved the deficit with 56 seconds left as he fired Tyler Ennis' cross-slot pass past Elliott from the left faceoff circle for his 18th goal.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Lapierre scored his first goal in 23 games dating to Jan. 28. ... Sabres D Jake McCabe made his NHL debut, becoming the franchise-record 44th different player to see action for Buffalo this season. ... Sabres LW Marcus Foligno suffered what appeared to be a serious injury to his right leg on his first shift of the game and had to be helped off the ice.