Lightning 2, Sabres 1: Steven Stamkos scored his 22nd goal with 5:18 left to snap a tie and host Tampa Bay held on to edge Buffalo for its seventh win in the last eight games.

Valtteri Filppula scored in the first period for the Lightning, who produced a season-high 47 shots on goal while beating the Sabres for the third straight time. Ben Bishop turned aside 20 shots to win his fifth consecutive decision and 21st game of the season.

Cody McCormick scored his first goal of the season for Buffalo, which lost its seventh straight contest and has scored just eight times in that span. Michal Neuvirth lost his sixth consecutive decision, but made 45 saves for the Sabres in his third appearance in eight days.

Neuvirth made 27 saves in the middle session, including a sprawling glove save on Brett Connolly to send the game to the third tied 1-1. Defenseman Victor Hedman’s pass around the left boards was tipped by Alex Killorn to set up a 2-on-1 and Jonathan Drouin fed Stamkos, who whipped a shot over Neuvirth from the bottom of the right circle.

The Lightning opened the scoring 3:51 into the contest when the puck squirted across the crease after Ryan Callahan’s stuff attempt and Filppula backhanded it home. Buffalo responded 50 seconds into the second period as Tampa Bay defenseman Anton Stralman misplayed the puck, Patrick Kaleta stole it and set up a wide-open McCormick for a short-handed tally.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The 27 shots on goal in the second were a franchise record in a period for the Lightning and nine more than they have had in any 20-minute session this season. … Buffalo RW Drew Stafford returned to the lineup after missing the last two games for the birth of his child. … Tampa Bay had a 36-22 edge in the faceoff circle, led by C Brian Boyle (7-2).