turning down an offer from another team worth twice that much

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. Jimmie Sherfy Jersey . Capitals head coach Adam Oates said Ovechkin was injured in the first period against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday and clarified it was not a head injury. Caleb Joseph Jersey . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday. https://www.cheapdiamondbacksjerseys.us/588l-matt-andriese-jersey-diamondbacks.html . -- Matt Ryan needed one of the best games of his career to lead the Falcons and their depleted offence out of their three-game losing streak last week. Kevin Cron Jersey . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. Eduardo Escobar Jersey . Each of Houstons starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division. SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- It took only one free agent visit to NFC south rival Tampa Bay to convince defensive end Charles Johnson of what hed known all along -- he only wanted to play for the Carolina Panthers.His heart was in Carolina, and that was never going to change.Its why the 30-year-old Johnson took an $8 million pay cut this offseason to return for his 10th season with the defending NFC champion Panthers and a chance to chase that (Super Bowl) ring.All I know is Carolina. All I have wanted to know is Carolina, said Johnson, who was selected in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft by the Panthers. Its kind of hard to leave something that you have invested so much in. The sky is the limit for this team. I want to help take this team to where we need to be.Being a business owner himself -- Johnson plans to open a restaurant this fall in Charlotte, North Carolina -- he understands the teams decision to release him in March after he tallied just one sack in 2015 and spent seven games on short-term injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Johnson was set to make $11 million in 2016, so he saw the move coming.But even as the Panthers cut Johnson, they left the door open for his return. They told him to explore the free agent market, but to think about re-signing in Carolina before agreeing to go elsewhere.Johnson received interest from a handful of teams, but decided to come back to Carolina on a one-year, $3 million deal, turning down an offer from another team worth twice that much, according to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus.What this deal signifies is Charles is a man of his word and in his heart he bleeds Carolina blue, Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said in March.It is clear Johnson is returning with something to prove -- at least to himself.Hes droppped 10 pounds this offseason to get down to 275 in hopes of getting a little quicker.dddddddddddd He said he feels lighter on his feet. Hes also worked tirelessly to strengthen his nagging back and hamstring problems.He said he feels great.Johnson, who had 52 1/2 sacks during a five-year span from 2010-2014 before last years injury-plagued season, said he has another double-digit sack season left in his tank.Im only 30, said Johnson, who is set to start at defensive end opposite Super Bowl standout Kony Ealy. There are other guys that are way older than me that are putting up numbers.Nonetheless, Johnson views this as a make-or-break season in terms of his NFL career.If hes not productive or struggles again with injuries, he could fall off the NFL radar and out of the league completely. On the other hand, a productive season could propel him to another big contract and a longer career with the Panthers.Im always going to want to stay where Im at, Johnson said. Im always thinking about coming back to the Panthers. I didnt know how everything is going to be, but my mindset was always to come back to the Panthers.Game notes Backup defensive end Chas Alecxih was carted off the practice field Sunday with a left knee injury. Although the extent of the injury will not be known until Monday, coach Ron Rivera admitted it did not look good. Alecxih pounded the ground after his injury and his defensive line teammates gathered in a huddle to pray. ... Rivera said the team is limiting wide receiver Kelvin Benjamins reps in practice, but he will play Thursday night against Baltimore.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '