Red Wings Get Job Done Short-Handed

At least for one game, it didn’t matter that the Detroit Red Wings were missing nearly half their lineup.

Pavel Datsyuk had two goals and an assist, and Curtis Joseph made 23 saves in the Red Wings’ 7-2 victory over the Sabres on Wednesday night at Buffalo, N.Y.

Playing without 10 regulars, including captain Steve Yzerman and No. 1 goaltender Dominik Hasek, the Red Wings played it close for the first two periods before dominating the third to win their second consecutive game and sixth in their last eight (6-1-1).

“Basically I told the players to walk out of here and be proud of your performance,” Red Wing Coach Dave Lewis said. “I thought collectively, as a group, the resolve was to just try to make a difference in the game.”

Kris Draper had a goal and two assists, Mathieu Schneider and Boyd Devereaux each had a goal and an assist, and Kirk Maltby and Jiri Hudler also scored for the Red Wings.

Joseph, who cleared waivers Friday after Detroit demoted him to Grand Rapids of the AHL, was making his fourth start of the season and first since a 5-2 win over Minnesota on Nov. 22.

Phoenix 2, Dallas 1 -- Sean Burke made 39 saves, helping the Coyotes snap an eight-game winless streak against Dallas and win at Phoenix. The Stars have lost five in a row.

New Jersey 1, New York Islanders 0 -- Patrik Elias, stopped on a penalty shot early in overtime, scored at 2:09 of the extra period to give the Devils the victory at East Rutherford, N.J.

Montreal 2, New York Rangers 1 -- Jan Bulis broke a third-period tie and set up the Canadiens’ other goal in their victory at New York.

Boston 1, Florida 1 -- Ted Donato scored a short-handed goal with 9:08 left in the third period to help Boston salvage a tie at Sunrise, Fla.

Columbus 1, Philadelphia 1 -- Sami Kapanen scored with 1:08 left in regulation, giving the Flyers a tie at Columbus, Ohio.

Columbus’ Fred Brathwaite was brilliant all night, stopping 40 shots. Kapanen’s goal came after the Flyers had continually peppered Brathwaite with a series of shots.