Thomas Vanek scored three goals and Jocelyn Thibault shut out the Boston Bruins in his first start since Jan. 21 as the Buffalo Sabres ended their season with a 3-0 win last night. The victory came too late for the Sabres. It was their first game since they were eliminated from playoff contention on Thursday night in a 3-1 loss at Montreal.
Boston, which clinched a playoff berth with a 2-1 win at Ottawa Friday, will finish seventh or eighth in the Eastern Conference and play Montreal in the first round. The Canadiens beat Toronto 3-1 to assure the matchup with the Bruins. The Bruins lost all eight of their games against the Canadiens, seven in regulation. Boston ended the regular-season with a 4-1-3 record in its last eight games. (More NHL stories.)