WASHINGTON - Mike Grier had a goal and two assists Wednesday night against the team that traded him the day before, leading the Buffalo Sabres to a 6-0 victory over the Capitals.
Martin Biron made 27 saves to earn his first shutout since Jan.24, 2003, and helped the Sabres move within five points of the Islanders in the race for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot.
Jochen Hecht scored twice and Dmitri Kalinin, Adam Mair and Daniel Briere added goals for Buffalo, which swept a season series from the Capitals for the first time since 1990-91 (4-0).
Washington lost by six goals for the second time this season, both times against the Sabres. Buffalo won 7-1 at home Dec. 31.
Grier, who didn't have more than two points in 67 games this season with Washington, was dealt by the Capitals before Tuesday's trade deadline. He played on Buffalo's second line with Hecht and Chris Drury.
That trio combined for three goals, including Grier's backhand into the top of the net that made it 3-0 at 11:39 of the second.
AVALANCHE 3, OILERS 2 (OT): Adam Foote scored his second power-play goal of the game 2:37 into overtime for visiting Colorado.
Joe Sakic had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche and Milan Hejduk and Paul Kariya each had two assists in its first game since Steve Moore was sucker punched Monday night by Vancouver's Todd Bertuzzi.
Georges Laraque tied it late in the third period for Edmonton.
KINGS 3, COYOTES 1: Luc Robitaille reached 20 goals for the 16th time as visiting Los Angeles extended Phoenix's winless streak to 10 (0-6-2-2).
Alexander Frolov and Nathan Dempsey scored and Cristobal Huet made 22 saves in his career-high 10th straight start for the Kings. Los Angeles, on a 5-2-2 streak, moved two points ahead of idle St. Louis in the race for the West's final playoff spot.
PANTHERS: Center Byron Ritchie will miss the rest of the season with a broken collarbone.
RED WINGS: Goaltender Curtis Joseph is expected to make his first start in a month tonight against the Blue Jackets. Joseph sprained his right ankle against San Jose on Feb.11.
