The Buffalo Sabres mantra on Saturday night: "Better late than never."
The Sabres beat the Lightning in Tampa Bay 3-2 in a shootout.
Vincent Lecavalier notched the first goal of the game with under one second remaining in the first period. He slapped a backhand past Ryan Miller for his first goal of the season.
The Sabres tied the game late in the second period. Mike Grier scored with 45 ticks left on the clock. Tim Kennedy created a turnover deep in the Tampa zone, then set up Grier who beat Mike Smith.
After Steve Stamkos gave the Bolts the 2-1 lead, Drew Stafford evened the score with 17 seconds to play in regulation.
The game would skate through overtime and into the shootout. Neither team would score until Buffalo rookie defenseman Tyler Myers dented the twine in the sixth round to clinch the win for the Sabres.
Miller made 24 saves in the victory.
The Sabres are off until Wednesday, when they travel to New Jersey.
