BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) – Maxim Afinogenov scored on a penalty shot and added two assists to help the Buffalo Sabres extend their winning streak to six with a 6-2 victory over the Boston Bruins on Sunday.

Thomas Vanek scored twice and set up another goal, and Ales Kotalik had a goal and two assists for the Sabres, a perfect 6-0 against Boston this season.

Tim Connolly had a goal and assist, Derek Roy also scored and Martin Biron stopped 37 shots.

Andrew Alberts, with his first career goal, and Brad Boyes scored for the Bruins, who have lost five straight and dropped to 1-7-1 in their last nine.

The losing streak matches Boston’s longest of the season.

Afinogenov broke the game open in the first period, first helping set up Roy’s game-opening goal and then converting the first penalty-shot attempt of his career at the 14:20 mark.

Afinogenov was awarded the penalty shot when he was tripped from behind by Hal Gill after being set up by Vanek’s perfectly timed breakout pass. Afinogenov scored when, dragging the puck on his forehand, he snapped a shot through Andrew Raycroft’s legs to give Buffalo a 2-0 lead.

The Sabers eventually built a 4-0 lead when Connolly snapped a shot in from the right circle to convert a 5-on-3 power play 15 minutes into the second period.

Biron had a busier game in recording this victory, coming a day after he replaced starter Ryan Miller and faced one shot in the third period of Buffalo’s 6-5 win at Philadelphia.

Biron’s best save came early in the second period when he got across in time to stop Mariusz Czerkawski’s attempt to one-time in a rebound.

The Sabres converted 3-of-6 power-play opportunities, but also allowed a shorthanded goal – their third in two games and NHL-worst 16th of the season.

Notes: Raycroft has allowed four goals on four penalty shots in his career, including allowing Los Angeles’ Alexander Frolov to score in a 6-0 loss Jan. 12. … The Sabres have scored goals on their last four penalty shots (all four scored at home), including Thomas Vanek’s goal in a 3-2 overtime win over Anaheim on Dec. 8. … Bruins D Nick Boynton returned after serving a one-game suspension for making an inappropriate, threatening gesture during Boston’s 3-0 loss to Montreal on Thursday. … Roy has seven goals in his last six games, equaling the number he scored in his first 44 games this season.

AP-ES-03-12-06 1940EST