Chara scores go-ahead goal in Bruins' 4-1 win over Sabres

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Zdeno Chara floated in the go-ahead goal from the left point 29 seconds into the third period and the Boston Bruins beat the Buffalos Sabres 4-1 on Friday night.

Ryan Spooner scored an insurance goal with 9:07 left and added two assists, and Brett Connolly scored into an empty net with 1:09 remaining. Matt Beleskey had a goal and an assist, and Boston snapped a 0-2-1 skid and improved to 2-4-1 in its past seven.

The Bruins beat Buffalo by overcoming a 1-0 first-period deficit and after squandering third-period leads in losing each of their past two: A 3-2 loss at Philadelphia on Wednesday night and a 2-1 loss at the New York Rangers on Monday night.

Backup Jonas Gustavsson stopped 33 shots, including the final 24 he faced.

Fourth-line center David Legwand scored for Buffalo.