PHILADELPHIA (AP) -Tim Connolly and a little desperation helped the Buffalo Sabres snap a four-game losing streak.

Connolly scored twice in the third period and added two assists to help the Sabres defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 Friday afternoon.

Drew Stafford, who also had an assist, and Paul Gaustad scored goals for the Sabres, who hadn't won since defeating the Flyers on the road 3-2 on Nov. 14.

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``We played desperate just like we did the last time in this building,' Connolly said. ``All of the guys were really into the game and I think we like these physical games.'

Mike Richards and Braydon Coburn scored for the Flyers, who returned home after losing three times on a five-game road trip.

``The Flyers have a lot of guys who are real good agitators,' Connolly said. ``I think if you can stay out of the penalty box and just play physical with them, you have a good chance to win.'

Connolly lifted a wrist shot from the slot high over Philadelphia goaltender Ray Emery to break a 2-2 tie at 5:27 in the final period. He scored again at 10:18 when his shot bounced off Emery's mask.

``Their fourth goal was a bit lucky,' Richards said. ``But I thought we had some (scoring) chances. We just didn't capitalize like they did.'

Ryan Miller, who went into the game leading the NHL with a 1.98 goals-against average, made 31 saves, including a brilliant stop on a shot by Jeff Carter late in the second period.

Emery, who lost his third straight start, had 21 saves.

``We just feel a little empty right now,' Philadelphia's Scott Hartnell said. ``We were riding high after that late win on Long Island (2-1 on Wednesday) but they (Buffalo) were fired up to come in here and play.'

Stafford was credited with Buffalo's first goal at 8:19 of the first period when Philadelphia defenseman Matt Carle inadvertently knocked his backhand into the net.

``We definitely needed this one,' Stafford said. ``It was a very emotional game, a very physical game. It was pretty much a war out there but we were able to pull through and get back on track.'

The Flyers scored twice within 30 seconds to take a 2-1 lead late in the period.

Richards went forehand to backhand to score at 19:26, then Coburn's shot deflected off Connolly with 3.6 seconds left.

Gaustad pulled the Sabres even on a power play at 6:09 of the second period when he redirected Connolly's shot from the point.

``We stumbled at the end of the first period but for the next 40 minutes we battled good enough to win the game,' Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said. ``We're desperate. The number of games we've lost on the road you've got to show that desperation.'

Buffalo's Craig Rivet and Philadelphia's Dan Carcillo went at each other twice within a 9-minute span in the second period and received 5-minute fighting majors both times. Carcillo was given a 10-minute misconduct penalty after the second fight. Rivet was helped off the ice with 3:22 left in the third period after being hit by Philadelphia's Arron Asham.

NOTES: The Flyers' Danny Briere served the second of a two-game suspension for a late hit on Colorado's Scott Hannan on Monday. ... Buffalo RW Patrick Kaleta received a 5-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for boarding Philadelphia C Jared Ross midway through the first period. Ross did not return. ... Philadelphia RW Ian Laperriere was hit in the face by a slap shot by Buffalo RW Jason Pominville late in the first period but returned in the third.