Sabres 5, Sharks 4 (SO): Cody Hodgson scored the decisive goal in the fourth round of the shootout as visiting Buffalo halted its four-game losing streak while extending San Jose's winless stretch to three contests.

After a wild third period that saw them battle back from 3-1 and 4-3 deficits, the Sharks appeared to score in overtime although the officials never saw the puck cross the goal line. Both clubs converted their first shootout attempts but weren't able to score again until Hodgson beat Antti Niemi to the glove side to end it.

Drew Stafford and Tyler Ennis each recorded a goal and an assist for the Sabres, who have posted all three of their victories this season on the road. Cody McCormick and defenseman Henrik Tallinder also tallied, Hodgson and Zemgus Girgensons had two assists apiece and Ryan Miller made 47 saves as Buffalo scored more than three goals for the first time in 2013-14.

Rookie Tomas Hertl registered a goal and an assist while Martin Havlat, Tyler Kennedy and Tommy Wingels also scored for the Sharks, who have lost twice in shootouts and once in overtime over their last three contests. Niemi turned aside 32 shots.

San Jose held a 1-0 lead after one period thanks to Havlat, who backhanded a rebound past Miller at 8:48. Stafford and McCormick scored 3:17 apart early in the second and Ennis converted a cross-crease pass from Hodgson during a 2-on-none situation down low at 1:20 of the third for a power-play goal and 3-1 advantage.

The Sharks battled back quickly to knot the contest. Kennedy backhanded a loose puck past Miller at 3:19 and Hertl grabbed a loose puck on the left side, circled around the net and fired it in from the right side 70 seconds later for his ninth tally.

Tallinder put Buffalo back in front three minutes afterward with a blast from the top of the slot that deflected off Sharks defenseman Justin Braun. But Wingels forged another tie with 3:46 remaining, diving to knock in a loose puck in the crease.

GAME NOTEBOOK: San Jose (5-0-2) is one of three teams yet to lose in regulation at home. Pacific Division rivals Anaheim (5-0-0) and Phoenix (7-0-1) are the others. ... The Sharks are 7-0-3 when scoring the game's first goal. ... San Jose captain Joe Thornton notched his 801st career assist, putting him 11 behind Pierre Turgeon for 29th place on the all-time list.