Sabres 2, Coyotes 1 (OT): Defenseman Mark Pysyk was credited with an unusual goal 3:47 into overtime as host Buffalo entered the holiday break with a victory.

Pysyk’s initial shot was stopped by Phoenix goaltender Mike Smith (30 saves), who attempted to poke the rebound away but instead deflected the puck up and into the back of his pants. Smith retreated into his net unsure of the location of the puck, resulting in the goal.

Tyler Ennis scored in regulation for the Sabres, who improved to 4-0-1 in their last five home games. Ryan Miller made 36 saves to continue his strong recent play.

Martin Hanzal opened the scoring in the second period with a controversial goal for the Coyotes, who finished 1-1-2 on their four-game Eastern Conference road trip.

Hanzal tipped defenseman Connor Murphy’s point shot past Miller 19 seconds into the second period as the play was called a goal on the ice and a video review was unable to determine whether Hanzal’s stick was above the crossbar on the deflection. The Sabres tied the game with 5:59 remaining in the third when rookie Zemgus Girgensons found Ennis down low for a forehand deke around Smith shortly after a Coyotes penalty expired.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Sabres dressed just 16 skaters due to a flu bug spreading through the locker room. … Buffalo RW Drew Stafford was assessed a major penalty and a game misconduct for elbowing Phoenix D Oliver Ekman-Larsson 11:16 into the second period, shortening the Sabres’ bench to 15 skaters. Ekman-Larsson remained in the game and logged 26:24 of ice time. … Hanzal has points in his last three contests after being held off the scoresheet for the first seven games of December.