Stars 4, Sabres 3: Cody Eakin scored his career-high 17th goal with 3:14 left in the third period to snap a tie as Dallas rallied to its eighth victory in 10 games.

Captain Jamie Benn collected two goals and an assist while Patrick Eaves recorded one of each as the Stars remained eight points behind Winnipeg for the second wild-card spot on the Western Conference. Kari Lehtonen turned aside 25 shots to win for the seventh time in his last eight decisions for Dallas, which captured its third straight at home.

Captain Brian Gionta scored twice and Matt Moulson netted one goal and set up another for the Sabres, who have won just once in their last 11 contests (1-8-2). Anders Lindback, who started the season with the Stars, made 35 saves.

Benn beat Lindback from the left faceoff circle after a turnover during a power play 1:56 into the third period to tie it before Moulson tipped in the rebound of Tyler Ennis’ shot off the crossbar at 10:52 to give Buffalo a 3-2 lead. Eaves answered by deflecting Tyler Seguin’s shot from the high slot with 7:25 left and Eakin capped the rally by converting a pass from defenseman John Klingberg.

Gionta knocked in a rebound 13:39 into the contest before Benn’s deflection with 29 seconds remaining in the first period tied the game. Johan Larsson’s shot from the top of the right circle hit Moulson, and then Gionta, before going in off Dallas defenseman Jason Demers’ skate for a power-play goal at 11:07 of the second for a 2-1 edge.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Benn has recorded eight points - three goals, five assists - in his last six games. … Dallas D Alex Goligoski’s assist on Benn’s third-period goal gave him 30 for the second straight season. … Buffalo blocked 43 shots, including eight each by Ds Mike Weber and Tyson Strachan.