BUFFALO: Buffalo coach Phil Housley spent the past few days urging the Sabres to shoot from any angle in a bid to spark the team’s slow-starting offense.

Ryan O’Reilly validated Housley’s message by scoring on a bad-angle shot on Friday night, sparking a four-goal third period for Buffalo Sabres in a 4-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Rather than rue the chances the Sabres missed through 40 minutes, including Evander Kane’s penalty shot 3:42 into the game, the Sabres celebrated winning for just the fourth time in 20 games.

Kane made up for his miss by deflecting in Josh Gorges’ point shot, and Buffalo avoided a late collapse. Jack Eichel sealed the win by scoring two empty-netters in the final 67 seconds.

“Obviously, it was kind of frustrating how many Grade A chances we had,” O’Reilly said. “I wasn’t shooting very well and then I get a chance like that. I was just trying to put it in that upper area and get a good bounce.” Collecting Kane’s drop pass in the circle, O’Reilly sped into the left corner and snapped a shot that somehow sneaked in behind Brian Elliott, who was hugging the post.

Associated Press