NHL ROUNDUP : Andreychuk Helps Sabres Make It Easy on Themselves

It’s news when the Buffalo Sabres start scoring goals in bunches. The Sabres, slow to get on track this season, have barely averaged three goals per game.

With Dave Andreychuk setting the pace, the Sabres doubled their scoring average in the first 36 minutes Friday night at Buffalo and routed the Boston Bruins, 8-1.

Andreychuk had two goals and five points to lead the Sabres to their second victory in the last three games after going winless for 12 in a row.

The Sabres, who had failed to win their previous seven home games, had not scored more than four goals in a winning effort in six weeks.

Goaltender Clint Malarchuk, enjoying a rare night when most of the action was at the other end of the rink, missed a shutout by 58 seconds. Boston’s Peter Douris tipped in a shot to spoil the bid.

Andreychuk started the scoring only 2:30 after the opening faceoff. The Sabres broke it open with five goals in the second period.

Chicago 3, Winnipeg 3--Brian Noonan had a hat trick at Chicago, but it only enabled the Blackhawks to get a tie with the short-staffed Jets. Noonan’s second three-goal game came against a team missing eight players because of injuries and flu. Noonan, who has 11 goals, scored three against the Kings Dec. 5.

Philadelphia 1, Vancouver 1--Trevor Linden of the Canucks scored 11:52 into the second period to tie the score at Vancouver. The Flyers’ Dan Quinn had a goal in the first period at the 8:53 mark.