BUFFALO, N.Y. -- For once, Buffalo Sabres coach Dan Bylsma couldnt complain about his teams lack of offense.Anders Nilsson stopped 46 shots, plus three more in the shootout, to stymie the Sidney Crosby-led Pittsburgh Penguins.And one goal in regulation, plus minor league call-up Cal OReillys shootout tally, were just enough for the offensively challenged Sabres to pull out a 2-1 victory Saturday night.Well, it doesnt really matter at this point in time who its against, Bylsma said. But its a win we desperately needed and against one of the better teams, if not the best team, in the league.William Carrier scored in regulation for Buffalo, which hasnt scored more than twice in 10 straight games, dating to a 3-1 win at Winnipeg on Oct. 30.In snapping an 0-4-2 skid, Buffalos victory came on the heels of a 4-1 loss to Tampa Bay on Friday after which Sabres forward Evander Kane expressed frustration about his teams lack of offense. He sarcastically said Buffalo had become the joke of the NHL because opponents needed only two goals to beat them.The difference on Saturday was the Penguins were unable to score twice.It took Pittsburgh 31 shots before Crosby beat Nilsson with a power-play goal to tie the game with 14:14 remaining in regulation.Its just one of those games where you leave feeling like you deserve better, said Crosby, who scored his 12th of the season and the 350th goal of his career. Ultimately, we have to find a way to bury a few chances. ... But he made some good saves. You have to give him credit.Pittsburgh has alternated losses and wins over its past five games since a 9-2-2 start, and was coming off a 3-2 overtime win at the New York Islanders on Friday night.The Penguins also lost to Buffalo for the first time in 10 meetings, since a 4-2 loss at Pittsburgh on April 23, 2013.Nilsson was solid in making just his second start in 11 games, and first since a 41-save performance in a 2-1 overtime loss to New Jersey on Nov. 11.Nilssons toughest saves came during overtime.A minute in, he kicked out his right pad to stop Phil Kessels drive from the right circle. A few seconds later, Nilsson squeezed his right arm just in time to trap Trevor Daleys shot.His best save came with 2:55 left in overtime, when he kicked out his left pad at the last moment to foil Kris Letang on a breakaway.After stopping Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on Pittsburghs first two shootout attempts, Nilsson sealed the win by stopping Letangs attempt to beat him through the legs.Obviously, they do have some very esteemed guys and some very good players in their lineup, Nilsson said. I tried to be as patient as possible and let them make the first move and try to make the save. And today I got lucky and was able to do that.OReilly scored on Buffalos third attempt by breaking up the right wing before cutting to the front of the net and beating Marc-Andre Fleury with a snap shot to the glove side.The goal came on the same day OReilly was called up from Buffalos AHL affiliate in Rochester. And it wasnt lost on Bylsma that OReilly has an established reputation for being a shootout specialist.OReilly has scored on six of 13 shootout attempts, with three of them game-deciding goals.Fleury was otherwise solid in stopping 32 shots through overtime.He was particularly sharp 2 minutes into the third period, when he got his glove up to stop Kanes shot from the left circle. Fleury then got across to his left to bat down Brian Giontas off-balance shot from the slot.Game notes Crosby has 15 goals and 50 points in 32 career games against Buffalo. ... Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist missed his second game with a concussion. Coach Mike Sullivan said Hornqvist skated on his own earlier in the day, but there was no timetable yet for his return. ... Aside from OReilly, the Sabres recalled forward Cole Schneider from Rochester. OReilly was the AHLs scoring leader with 18 points (three goals, 15 assists), and Schneider was tied for second with 17 (seven goals, 10 assists). ... Linesman Greg Devorski officiated his 1,500th NHL game.UP NEXTPenguins: Host the New York Rangers on Monday.Sabres: Host the Calgary Flames on Monday. Wally Walker Jersey . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No. Cheap Supersonics Jerseys . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. https://www.supersonicsjerseys.com/990s-slick-watts-jersey-supersonics.html .com) - Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer were easy first-round winners Tuesday at the Australian Open. Ray Allen Jersey . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. Patrick Ewing Jersey . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play. Western Michigan athletic director Kathy Beauregard says coach P.J. Fleck has not spoken with other schools about coaching jobs and will not until after the MAC title game.?Beauregard made her statement in a text message to The Associated Press on Saturday.Fleck, 35, has led the Broncos to a 12-0 record and a No. 21 ranking this season, and his breakout success has made him a popular target for rumors -- including as the next coach for Purdue.Beauregard said Fleck was committed to the WMU Broncos and preparing for the MAC championship game. Western Michigan will face Ohio on Friday at Ford Field in Detroit for the MAC championship.Fleck led the program to a 1-11 record his first year in 2013, then 8-5 finishes the nextt two years.ddddddddddddMeanwhile, after a 26-24 loss to Indiana on Saturday, Purdue interim coach Gerad Parker sounded as if he doesnt expect to return to West Lafayette in 2017.We aimed big, we moved fast and we got better, Parker said after losing for the sixth straight week since replacing the fired Darrell Hazell. The ultimate stat of getting better is winning and I know that. Nobody knows that more than me. But Ill tell you this, this football team got better in the last six weeks. I believe that with every fiber of my body.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. ' ' '