"It was just past the midway point of the second period Thursday, and Jason Pominville had no idea why he was headed to the penalty box. Buffalo Sabres teammate Luke Adam had accidentally high-sticked San Jose defenseman Niclas Wallin, but officials mistakenly sent Pominville off.

Sabres assistant coach James Patrick and head coach Lindy Ruff frantically waved to the men in stripes before the ensuing faceoff that they got the wrong guy and won the debate. Good thing too. Pominville is Buffalo's key penalty killer.

And in this case, the switch made a difference on the scoreboard too. Pominville scored a short-handed goal during the Adam penalty to continue his improved play and help the Sabres to their 6-3 win.

"I was in the box but I was wondering why," Pominville said. "I wasn't sure what happened and they ended up being able to switch it. They definitely got it right. When they pointed to me for a penalty, I was wondering what was going on."

San Jose defenseman Jason Demers basically handed the puck to Pominville at the right point and the Sabres winger had a breakaway from the Buffalo blueline in. He beat Antti Niemi with a quick snapshot for his third goal of the season and Buffalo's second short-handed tally of the year.

"I tried to put pressure and he tried to make a quick play and it went right to me," Pominville said. "Any goal is nice. I'll take one any way. You don't get too many breakaways. I think that might have been my first one so I'll take it."

Pominville has 19 shots on goal in the last six games, two goals in his last four games and points in four of his last five outings. With his season marred by the concussion he suffered Oct. 11 against Chicago, Pominville had just one goal in his first 16 games."