Pominville, Wild Hold Off Winless Sabres

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Jason Pominville scored the winning goal in his return to Buffalo as the Minnesota Wild beat the winless Sabres 2-1 on Monday night.

Kyle Brodziak also scored for Minnesota (3-1-2). Josh Harding made 21 saves.

Buffalo (0-6-1) tied a franchise record for longest winless streak to start a season. The Sabres were 0-5-2 in 1999 and 0-4-3 in 1990.

Pominville, a former Sabres captain, played his first game in Buffalo since he was traded to Minnesota last April for center Johan Larsson, Rochester goalie Matt Hackett, a first-round pick that was used on defenseman Nikita Zadorov and a second-round selection.

Brian Flynn lifted Buffalo into a 1-1 tie with 4:56 left in the second period, scoring his first goal of the season off an assist from Zemgus Girgensons.

Pominville, who spent 12 years in the Sabres organization and ranks 12th on the team's career list in goals (185) and points (456), received an ovation from the fans when his name was announced in the starting lineup. He then drew boos after scoring the go-ahead goal.

Pominville scored on the power play with 9.7 seconds left in the second period to give Minnesota a 2-1 lead.

Brodziak gave the Wild an early lead with his first of the season, scoring from the right circle on a delayed penalty five minutes in. Matt Cooke assisted on the goal.

Jhonas Enroth started in place of No. 1 Sabres goalie Ryan Miller and made 14 saves.

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