NHL ROUNDUP : Hawerchuk Scores Two Goals to Lead Sabres Over Senators

The way Dale Hawerchuk is playing, the Buffalo Sabres hardly miss Pat LaFontaine.

Hawerchuk, who had two goals and an assist in Sunday night’s victory over the San Jose Sharks, scored twice to lead the Sabres to a 5-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Monday night at Ottawa.

Rookie Derek Plante also scored twice as Buffalo won its third in a row without LaFontaine, who is sidelined for the season pending reconstructive knee surgery.

“We need a lot of leaders now that Patty’s out,” said Hawerchuk, who was set up on both of his goals by interim Sabre captain Alexander Mogilny.

“As a linemate (of Mogilny’s), you just have to go to the holes and he’ll get you the puck.”

Hawerchuk leads the Sabres with 22 points.

The Sabres continue to move toward respectability with an 8-11-1 record, while Ottawa appears to be in a free fall.

The Senators have lost four in a row overall and six in a row at the Civic Centre, where they drew jeers from a crowd of 10,155. The crowd was particularly upset with the Ottawa power play, which scored only once in nine chances--including a listless five-minute major late in the third period.

“Some of our guns aren’t gunning right now, and that’s the story of the game,” Ottawa Coach Rick Bowness said.

The Sabres, meanwhile, connected on two of three chances with a man advantage.

“It got a little bit ridiculous,” Hawerchuk said. “There can never be a (power play) differential like that in today’s game. It will be nice to see the strike end.”

Hawerchuk’s comments were pointed at the replacement officials, who are working in lieu of striking referees and linesmen.

Toronto 5, Vancouver 2--Wendel Clark scored his league-leading 21st goal and had an assist to lead the Maple Leafs at Vancouver.