Lightning Down Sabres in Buffalo.

Buffalo, NY (RSE) — The Tampa Bay Lightning got the consistent of the inconsistent goaltending last night when Mike Smith stopped 29 of 30 Buffalo shots to earn him the first star.  Smith settled down after Thomas Vanek blasted a shot by Smith at 4:52 of the first to put the Sabres on top 1-0.

Later that same period (18:10 mark), Teddy Purcell tipped one past Sabres netminder Patrick Lalime to tie the contest at 1.  For Purcell it was his third of the season with Randy Jones and Pavel Kubina notching the helpers. 

Midway through the second, Adam Hall scored his fourth goal of the season as he backhanded the biscuit past Lalime.  This at the 11:26 mark of the second would prove to be the game winner as Lalime and Smith held both clubs off the board the rest of the game.

Two huge conference road victories in contrasting fashion to close the road trip…  8-7 over Philly and 2-1 over Buffalo.