The Buffalo Sabres' most recent playoff teams were modeled on the idea that scoring has to come from everywhere. The Sabres

reached back-to-back Eastern Conference finals in 2006 and 2007 with depth that was scary

good, with four forward lines capable of scoring at any time.

If the Sabres make the playoffs this season, a key reason will be getting close to that

form.

The Sabres are receiving production from nearly every spot in the lineup. Players from

three lines have become score sheet regulars, something that has helped the team win three

straight games heading into Wednesday's visit to Atlanta.

"That's a huge part of our success, that everyone's contributing," Sabres forward Daniel

Paille said Monday. "It's part of a winning team, and we just want to keep rolling."

Paille is part of the crop of players who are finding late-season success. The fourth-liner

has four goals in the past eight games, helping to salvage a year that has languished too

often. He had just seven goals in his first 60 games.

"It's just about creating the chances when I'm out there and finishing most of them,"

Paille said. "I believe I've been doing that, and I'm happy about it."

His recent linemates, Dominic Moore and Adam Mair, are also chipping in. Mair scored

Saturday after a five-game injury absence, and Moore has four points in the past five games.

The third line is finding the net, too. Paul Gaustad has three points in four games, and

Jochen Hecht has four points in the last five contests.

One of the top lines is surging following a long absence. Center Tim Connolly has goals in

three straight games, scoring four times after being silenced for nearly six weeks. In the 19

games from Feb. 7 to March 21, Connolly failed to score in 18 of them.

Right wing Jason Pominville has also begun to right a season full of wrongs. He has 11

points in the last eight games, recording at least one point in seven of them. The line's left

winger, Clarke MacArthur, has responded to a five-game benching with three goals in four

outings.

"It's been good since I've gotten back in the lineup here," MacArthur said. "I've got a few

bounces my way, and I'm trying to work hard and stay in. Everyone contributing is what you

need."

There is one gaping hole in the offensive equilibrium.

It's the top line. Derek Roy, Thomas Vanek and Drew Stafford have not been tormenting

opposing goalies.

Roy has two goals and three assists in the past 10 games. Stafford has no goals and two

assists over the past nine. Vanek has six points in 12 games since returning from a fractured

jaw.

"Right now we're in a little bit of a funk, especially for our line," Vanek said. "The

success to winning is it's not just one line scoring. Obviously, the top two lines need to do

most of the scoring. But like the other night, with Adam scoring a big goal, I think that's

really what's going to help this team win."

Coach Lindy Ruff, of course, is pleased his lineup is well-balanced. But like Vanek, he

expects the top two lines to put in the bulk of the pucks during the final seven games of the

season.

"It does have to come from a lot of places, and it does have to come from our key

personnel," Ruff said. "I still have to maintain that our top two lines are going to have to

carry us through this.

"We need support from the other lines. Their role is a little bit different, but when they

chip in it's great. At the same time, the bulk of the scoring is usually going to come from

your top players."

Strength in numbers:

The Sabres recently are getting production from more than just their top scorers:

Clarke MacArthur: Has three goals in four games since his two-week stint in the press

box.

Dan Paille: Has four goals and two assists in 10 games in March and is a plus 6.

Jochen Hecht: Has four points in his last five games.

Maxim Afinogenov: Has three points in his last four starts.

Tim Connolly: Has six points in the last three games.