The Buffalo Sabres cannot be stopped.
Powered by two goals from Jeff Skinner, including the game-winning power-play goal 3:06 into overtime, the Sabres (15-6-2) defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 on Friday afternoon at KeyBank Center. The victory marks the Sabres' longest winning streak (eight games) since the 2006-07 season when Buffalo knocked off 10 in a row to begin the year.
Skinner tied the game 2-2 with 2:26 remaining in regulation as he backhanded a rebound from the left circle past Canadiens netminder Antti Niemi.
The day was not over for Skinner, though. The 26-year-old forward netted his league-leading 17th goal in overtime to secure the victory. Skinner drew a slashing penalty on Montreal winger Max Domi, leading to a 4-on-3 power-play advantage.
The game-winner, off a rebound of Jack Eichel's shot, came as Skinner was falling down near the front of the net.
"I didn't really see how it went in, but it went in," Skinner told MSG Network after the game, "so that's all that matters."
The Sabres moved into first place in the Atlantic Division with 32 points to the Maple Leafs' 31. Buffalo will aim for its fifth winning streak of at least nine games in franchise history when it travels to Detroit to face the Red Wings on Saturday evening.