Dumont’s Hat Trick Propels the Sabres

J.P. Dumont was in the right place at the right time--three times to be exact.

Dumont scored three goals, the last into an empty net to seal the visiting Buffalo Sabres’ 5-3 victory Monday night over the Florida Panthers.

“Every goal scorer has to be a little lucky,” said Dumont, who also had a hat trick on March 18, 2000, against Philadelphia. “My role here is to be around the net and around the puck.

“It really comes down to being in the right place at the right time.”

Curtis Brown scored with 1:17 left to snap a 3-3 tie. Dumont earned his hat trick with 16 seconds left.

The late Buffalo flurry erased a two-goal third-period comeback by the Panthers, who pulled even on goals by Pavel Bure and Kristian Huselius.

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Former greats Vyacheslav Fetisov, Mike Gartner, Dale Hawerchuk and Jari Kurri entered the Hockey Hall of Fame Monday night. Joining them was Craig Patrick, the general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins, voted into the hall in the builders category....The St. Louis Blues called up defenseman Marc Bergevin from Worcester.