COLUMBUS (AP) — Jeff Skinner had a goal and two assists, lifting the Buffalo Sabres to a 5-2 win over the Blue Jackets in the season finale for both teams.
Casey Mittelstadt had a goal and an assist, and Victor Olofsson, Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs also scored for Buffalo.
Devon Levi stopped 29 shots for the Sabres, who were eliminated from playoff contention for the 12th straight season, the longest active postseason drought in the NHL.
Johnny Gaudreau and Tyler Angler scored for Columbus, which ended its season in 31st place in the league standings and are guaranteed one of the top four picks in the NHL Draft.
With the loss, the Blue Jackets clinched the second-best odds of winning the lottery for the No. 1 pick in the talent-rich May 8 draft at 13.5%.
Jon Gillies stopped 24 shots before being replaced in this third period by Michael Hutchinson, who finished with seven saves.