EDMONTON -- Not many teams have managed to make the Buffalo Sabres look good this season, but the Edmonton Oilers found a way to do it on Thursday. Cory Conacher had two goals and an assist as the Sabres snapped a lengthy seven-game losing skid, emerging with a 3-1 victory over the Oilers in a battle between the teams with the worst records in the NHL. Drew Stafford also scored for the Sabres (20-42-8) who had been outscored 21-6 in their previous seven losses. "It was huge," Stafford said. "The way that this year has gone and the challenges we have gone through, we will take any win at this point, regardless of who it is against. That was one of our more complete efforts. "We had some discipline issues, but had a great PK. We also had more than one goal, which is big. Getting a 3-1 lead, Im not sure I can remember the last time we had a comfortable lead like that where we could lock in our system and take over the game." Sabres head coach Ted Nolan said his team earned the two points on the night as they ran their road record to just 8-22-3. "It is good to finally play a half decent game," he said. "When you lose, you get what you deserve, and we have been getting what we deserved. We werent playing very well, but tonight we got what we deserved." Conacher scored his first goal as a Sabre since being claimed on waivers from Ottawa at the trade deadline, and his first goal overall since Dec. 28. "It was refreshing," he said. "Ive already had to get the monkey off my back once before this year, and it feels like it came off again tonight. Maybe this was the game I needed to open the floodgates a bit. The most important part was getting the win, though. Taylor Hall responded for the Oilers (25-37-9) who saw a two-game winning streak end. The Oilers, now 10-5-3 in their last 18 games, are in second-last behind the Sabres. "You look at some games on the schedule and you think, oh, its going to be an easy night, but Ive learned in this league that anything can happen," Hall said. "Whether youre playing the St Louis Blues or Buffalo, you have to come in with the same mind-set. "It doesnt matter what place theyre in or anything, every game is hard and just because we lost to the team behind us doesnt mean were going to come to the rink and sulk tomorrow. As long as the work ethic is there and the battle and the compete ... as long as we have that, were proud." Oilers captain Andrew Ference said his team just didnt seem to have that second effort that has seen them come back in games of late. "Weve been able to take the tempo of game and take control of the third period recently and we just didnt do that tonight," he said. "Their second goal was just putting the puck to the net and it didnt seem as though we responded as well as weve had in the last two weeks. "We just lacked that extra couple of notches on the dial tonight." Little happened for the bulk of the first period, save for a spirited scrap between Edmontons Luke Gazdic and Buffalos Zenon Konopka. Edmonton had numerous chances on the power play late in the first, including posts hit by Justin Schultz and Hall, before the two connected for a man-advantage goal on Buffalo goalie Matt Hacket, who was making his first start of the season for the Sabres. Schultz made a quick pass to Hall in the centre of the right faceoff circle and he blew a one-timer past Hacket with two minutes left in the first period for his 24th goal of the season. Hacket was recently called up from Rochester of the AHL with normal goalies Jhonas Enroth and Michal Neuvirth out with injuries. The Sabres tied the game with a power-play goal of their own just before the midway point of the second period as Conacher was able to tip a Jamie McBain point shot past Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens. Buffalo took a 2-1 lead 1:09 into the third period as a soft Schultz clearing attempt was intercepted by Torrey Mitchell and his shot on net was once again tipped past Scrivens by Conacher for his second of the game and sixth of the season. The Sabres took a two-goal lead five minutes into the third as Scrivens was down and out on a rebound that came back to Stafford, who scored his fifth goal in the last seven games. Hacket made 35 saves for the victory in the Buffalo net. The Oilers play the third game of a six-game homestand on Saturday against the Calgary Flames. The Sabres play the third game of a five-game road trip on Sunday in Vancouver. Notes: It was the second of a pair of meetings between the Oilers and Sabres this season. Edmonton won the first game 3-2 on Feb. 3a In their seven losses before facing the Oilers, only two Sabres players recorded goals - Drew Stafford (four goals) and Tyler Ennis (two goals)a Hacket became the fourth goalie used by Buffalo in the last four gamesa Both teams were fairly banged up for the game. Notable absences for the Oilers included forwards Jordan Eberle (knee) and Nail Yakupov (ankle), while the Sabres were without defencemen Tyler Myers (elbow) and Alexander Sulzer (upper body) and forwards Chris Stewart (ankle) and Zemgus Girgensons (lower body). Custom Washington Nationals Nike Jerseys .Do you have to be that close? Federer snapped at a TV cameraman hovering nearby as he received medical advice after losing a set on Wednesday.For Nadal and Sharapova, the nuisance was coming from the lowly-ranked qualifiers across the net. Custom Colorado Rockies Nike Jerseys . Both sides of the deal have formally announced acquisitions: TFC introduced Jozy Altidore as a designated player on Friday, while their counterparts announced a three-and-a-half-year deal with Jermain Defoe. https://www.custombaseballnikejerseys.co...es-nike-jerseys. 28 with a Vancouver entry for the first time in 10 years and a novel new collective bargaining agreement. Custom Houston Astros Nike Jerseys . -- Alex Anthopoulos spoke volumes with what he didnt say on right-hander Ervin Santana. Custom Miami Marlins Nike Jerseys . The D-Backs came into being in 1998 and appear destined to finish second in the AL West after the Tsunami that is the Los Angeles Dodgers swept over them. I thought it might be interesting to see what the D-backs have done over their 16 years compared to what the Blue Jays have done over their past 16 campaigns.Charlie Nicholas believes it is time for Arsene Wenger to step aside but has called for respectful protests on Saturday. Supporters groups have arranged demonstrations at the Emirates during their clash with Norwich, calling for fans to display banners at the 12th and 78th minute to display their displeasure at the clubs failure to win the Premier League in 12 years.Nicholas is himself in agreement that it is time for Wenger to go, but feels that his 20-year reign warrants fans to show respect in expressing their views. Arsene Wenger knows his past successes mean Arsenals fan expect trophies each season He told Sky Sports: I believe myself that it is time for Arsene to step aside and I never thought Id say those words, but I want it done in a way that is done with humility and dignity, if such a thing is possible.However, I wouldnt have a problem if he stayed, but he has to realise mistakes have been made and solve those problems this summer. Protesting has its place, but I just hope they do it with a big of dignity and it doesnt get angry. Charlie Nicholas on Arsenal fan protests I said on Soccer Saturday last weekend that this will only grow and grow as the fans will be thinking these home games against Norwich and Aston Villa should be where theyre securing the title.My opinion is similar to the majority of fans but I find it difficult to be as hard hitting as some of them, but then again theyre paying the big money, more than anyone else in the league, and because of that their influence and opinion carries a greater weight than mine does from the studio. Fans protested against Arsene Wenger in their last home game Protesting has its place, just as the Liverpool fans did in the correct way with the price increases, but I just hope they do it with a bit of dignity and it doesnt get angry.ddddddddddddI just dont see the need for the silly big banners, ridiculous songs and angry demands. It would be a big shame if there was trouble because of it. Charlie predicts Find out what Charlie is tipping up for Arsenal v Norwich here. Some sections are also calling for majority owner Stan Kroenke to step aside, but Nicholas isnt convinced he is the right man to blame.Is this just about Wenger or is this about Kroenke as well because they feel hes holding money back? he added. Wenger in the spotlight Poor form and questionable decision-making has put Arsene Wenger in the spotlight at Arsenal. I think what theyre suggesting is that Kroenke has been holding money back, which is obviously highlighted because he hasnt had a successful time.The frustrating part is that he doesnt say much and Id love a strong personality running the club, but dont see that being the real problem. Arsenals title hopes were killed off at Sunderland last Sunday Theyve had all this money as its been spent on Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Petr Cech but what Wengers not been getting in is the right players as hes still missing a top centre-half and a centre-forward.The Soccer Saturday pundit does, however, expect the players to evade the fans wrath.I dont think the players will pay much attention because its the manager and the owner that are taking the brunt of the abuse, Nicholas said.I think Norwich could be on receiving end of a backlash this weekend because this side are at their most dangerous when the pressure is off and they can play their football. Also See: Back us, Wenger urges fans Welbeck winner tops Twitter list Wenger in the spotlight Cazorla set for Arsenal return ' ' '