In Buffalo, the Columbus Blue Jackets took a 4-1 lead after two periods on Tuesday night and then held off the Sabres for a 5-3 win. 
Columbus’ Eric Robinson completed a hat trick, his NHL first, with 36 seconds left in the third period for the 5-3 final.
The marker was scored on an empty net.
Elvis Merzlikins made 39 saves in the Blue Jackets win.
Robinson scored the second Columbus goal of the first period to send the game to the middle frame with the Blue Jackets up, 2-1.
His second of the night came in the middle frame for a 32-1 advantage to Columbus.
Kent Johnson scored early in the first period for a 1-0 lad to the Blue Jackets, but Buffalo’s Tage Thompson scored 18 seconds later for a 1-1 tie.
The Sabres had a three-game win streak snapped in the loss as they dropped to 31-24-4.
Home ice has not been kind to Buffalo who fell to 12-16-2.
Boone Jenner scored with 18 seconds left in the middle stanza for a 4-1 lad to the Blue Jackets.
The Sabres rallied in the third period with two goals.
Jack Quinn scored at 5:02 to make it 4-2, and JJ Peterka trimmed the Columbus lad to 4-3 at 9:46.
Craig Anderson made 31 saves in the Sabres loss.
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