BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Jack Eichel helped the Buffalo Sabres end a long drought without a winning record.
Eichel, the Sabres' 21-year-old captain, scored two goals in a 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday.
"I think we are coming together as a group," said Eichel, who also had a goal and an assist in Buffalo's 3-1 win over the New York Rangers on Saturday.
"We are not a finished product by any means, but I think you can see the desperation in which we play with and the togetherness that we play with in the last few games."
"It's nice to get off to a good start," said Pominville, who was part of the 2013 Sabres before being traded to the Minnesota Wild late in the season, and returned to Buffalo in a trade prior to last season. "It's a different vibe, different atmosphere."
"We weren't mentally sharp," Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant said. "There were mental lapses in the D-zone and a guy left wide open. You couldn't blame Fleury on any of the goals."
"When you are winning games and not playing your best, it's a really good sign," Eichel said.
"We limited them to a low number of shots, however, the shots they did get were Grade-A opportunities," Vegas forward Max Pacioretty said. "We can't hang our goaltender out to dry like that."
Eichel tucked a backhand around Fleury's poke-check for his third of the season to give the Sabres a 2-0 lead five minutes into the period. Sam Reinhart slipped a pass between the skates of Vegas defenseman Deryk Engelland to set up Eichel in front of the net.
NOTES: The Golden Knights are 0 for 8 on the power play through the first three games. ... Vegas didn't have its second loss until the 10th game of last season. ... The Golden Knights beat the Sabres in both meetings last season, winning in overtime at home and in a shootout in Buffalo. ... Sabres C Johan Larsson practiced Sunday for the first time since sustaining a lower-body injury on Sept. 26 and is nearing a return.