By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com
Red Wings 4, Sabres 3 – Tomas Tatar’s game-winning goal with 2:50 left helped snap the Red Wings three-game losing streak, with a victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon.
The Red Wings jumped out to a 2-0 lead with goals from Brad Richards and Riley Sheahan.
Jack Eichel responded with a pair of goals for the Sabres to tie the game at 2-2 heading into the third period.
Both teams traded third period goals from Detroit’s Henrik Zetterberg and the Sabres’ Sam Reinhart at 2:27 and 8:58 of the stanza, respectively, before Tatar’s goal late in the contest.
Detroit goaltender Petr Mrazek picked up the win, stopping 32 of 35 shots.
The Red Wings are now 19-13-7 on the season, good for 45 points and third place in the Atlantic Division.
Detroit will continue its long six-game road trip on Monday night against the New Jersey Devils.
Record: 19-13-7 45 pts
3rd Place in Atlantic Division (2 pts behind Montreal)
6th Place in Eastern Conference (13 pts behind Washington)
3 pts ahead of Ottawa for the last playoff spot
Magic # to clinch 25th straight playoff berth: 86 pts
Magic # to clinch Atlantic Division title: 90 pts
Magic # to clinch Eastern Conference: 104 pts
Next Game: 01/04/2016 @ New Jersey Devils 7:00 p.m. @ Prudential Center
Stats: Goals- Brad Richards (4), Riley Sheahan (6), Henrik Zetterberg (7), Tomas Tatar (12). Assists- Pavel Datsyuk (10), Mike Green 2 (13), Dylan Larkin (13), Gustav Nyquist (11), Sheahan (5), Brendan Smith (7), Tatar (13). Goaltender- Petr Mrazek W (12-8-3) 32 saves on 35 shots.
Pacers 94, Pistons 82 – Paul George scored the Indiana Pacers’ final 21 points to lead them to victory over the Pistons on Saturday night.
George scored a game-high 32 points along with grabbing 14 rebounds for the Pacers.
The Pistons were led by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Reggie Jackson chipped in with 12 points.
The Pistons are now 18-16 on the season, good for fourth place in the Central Division.
Detroit will head home to host the Orlando Magic on Monday.
Record: 18-16
4th Place in Central Division (5 games behind Cleveland)
Tied for 9th Place in Eastern Conference (5 games behind Cleveland)
.5 games behind Boston for the last playoff spot
Magic # to clinch a playoff berth: 50
Magic # to clinch Central Division title: 56
Magic # to clinch Eastern Conference title: 56
Next Game: 01/04/2016 vs. Orlando Magic 7:30 p.m. @ Palace of Auburn Hills
Stats: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 16 points 10 rebounds, Reggie Jackson 12 points, Ersan Illyasova 12 points, Andre Drummond 11 points 18 rebounds.
