Winslow Townson / AP

Buffalo's Daniel Briere, left, celebrates his overtime goal with teammate Mike Grier as the Sabres beat the Hurricanes 2-1 on Tuesday.

Dumont can now stop kicking himself for his miscue. His goal, converting Briere’s rebound from the slot five minutes in, ended an eight-game scoring drought.

“After I scored that goal, a ton of pressure just went off my shoulders,” Dumont said.

It marked only the fifth time the Sabres have forced a Game 7 when trailing a series 3-2. Carolina had previously won all four Game 6’s when up 3-2.

Miller played his best game of the series after he had allowed 15 goals on 109 shots in Buffalo’s previous four games.

His only blemish was allowing Hedican’s goal, when the Hurricanes defenseman scored from the left circle, beating a screened Miller just inside the far post.

Miller kept the game tied by getting his blocker up to stop Hurricanes captain Rod Brind’Amour with 1:40 left in regulation.

Ward also played strong, earning the start after he stopped all 15 shots he faced in relieving Martin Gerber on Sunday. Besides foiling Pominville set up in the slot in the first period, Ward got across in time to block Ales Kotalik’s one-timer from the left circle.

The Hurricanes came out flat, outshot 31-26 and 14-5 in the first period.

“Obviously, the emotions are not good,” Laviolette said. “We’re going to have to be a lot sharper than that.”

Notes: Buffalo played without two regular defenseman — Henrik Tallinder (broken arm) and Dmitri Kalinin (ankle) — and then lost Teppo Numminen. Returning after missing four games with a groin injury, Numminen was limited to just 4:13 of ice time in the first period and spent the rest of the game watching from the bench. ... The Hurricanes went 0-for-3 on the power play after converting six of their previous 19 chances. ... Buffalo is 1-4 when playing Game 7 while Carolina is 0-3. ... Hurricanes forward Eric Staal had his point streak end at 15 games, the longest in the playoffs since Vancouver’s Pavel Bure had a point in 16 games in 1994.

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Bruce Bennett / Getty Images

Devils get it done in Game 5

NJ blows three-goal lead, but Ryan Carter's late goal helps No. 6 seed beat NY Rangers 5-3, move within one win of Stanley Cup finals on Wednesday.

NBC Sports

Highlights: Devils defeat Rangers in Game 5

  In New York, New Jersey took Game 5 with a 5-3 win and lead the series 3-2. The Rangers fought back from an early 3 goal deficit in the first period to tie the game early in the third period, only to see the Devils score two unanswered goals to win the game.

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