"Thomas Vanek had been 0 for 2010 and that included no goals in the Buffalo Sabres' six-game winning streak. He finally got on the scoreboard in the new year at crunch time Saturday night.

Vanek scored his 12th goal of the season midway through the third period to key a Buffalo comeback and added one of his team's three shootout tallies in the 4-3 loss to Colorado.

Vanek retook the team lead in goals, snapping a five-way tie that Drew Stafford created with his goal in the second period. Stafford, Tim Connolly, Jason Pominville and Clarke MacArthur all have 11 goals. It's a long way from his 40-goal run of last season, but Vanek was happy to again make an impact.

"It's always nice to contribute," Vanek said. "We've been winning games so it's not about an individual. Anytime you can have a positive effect on the team it's nice."

Vanek's 12 goals are the lowest total in the league for any team leader, but Buffalo has incredible balance. The Sabres have seven players with at least 10 goals this season as Derek Roy and Jochen Hecht have 10 apiece. Hecht picked up No. 10 on the tying goal with 4:12 left Saturday. Only Washington (eight) has more players in double figures.

Coach Lindy Ruff continues to mix up the lines to try to stimulate even more production from his key forwards. In the second period, Stafford was reunited with Vanek and Roy in a combination that's often been used as the top line the last two seasons.

"I've been playing with Derek for years and Staff as well," Vanek said. "So it was an easy fit.""