BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Martin Biron is proving to be better than most people expected, even his coach.

The Buffalo Sabres rookie goaltender made 21 saves to post his league-leading fifth shutout, leading the Sabres to a 1-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators Friday night.

	Ottawa goalie Patrick Lalime held Maxim Afinogenov and the Sabres to just one goal Friday, but it was one too many.

James Patrick scored for the Sabres, who won their second straight and moved within two points of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

"I don't think we could have pictured that," said Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff about Biron taking the shutout lead instead of Dominik Hasek.

Hasek could return sometime next week. He hasn't played since his groin injury Oct. 29, and just began practicing with the club Wednesday.

"I just want to prove to a lot of people that I can play in this league," said Biron. "I want to be here and learn more and gain experience."

"He looks like he's playing with a lot of confidence," said Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson.

Ottawa goaltender Patrick Lalime made 26 stops. The Senators lost back-to-back games for the first time since early December, and are 0-3-2 in the last nine days.

"We've got to get back to playing our game," said forward Shawn McEachern. "We're not getting the same effort we have in the past."

With his fifth shutout, Biron broke a tie for the league lead. He had been even with Calgary's Fred Brathwaite, St. Louis' Roman Turek, and Ottawa's Ron Tugnutt, who was sidelined Friday because of the flu.

The last rookie goalie to post as many shutouts was Tommy Soderstrom, who had five for Philadelphia in 1992-93. Biron has blanked Ottawa twice; he was involved in a 0-0 tie Dec. 8.

Patrick scored his third of the year just 2:37 into the game. His slap shot from the top of the right faceoff circle went over the left shoulder of Lalime, who appeared to be screened by defenseman Wade Redden.

The clubs combined for several close calls in the first and second periods, with three plays reviewed by the video goal judge, but none determined to be goals.

About four minutes after Patrick's goal, Buffalo's Brian Holzinger fired a shot off a goal post. The goal judge lit his light, but reviews proved the puck never passed the goal line.

The Sabres and Senators traded non-goals within a one minute span in the second period. With 7:28 to go, Vaclav Varada was judged to have interfered with Lalime, nullifying Patrick's second goal. With 6:28 left, Shawn McEachern's goal was disallowed because of a high stick.

With 1:21 to go in the first period, Rhett Warriner's slap shot shattered a pane of glass directly behind the Ottawa net. The remaining time was played after an early intermission.

"I was happy with our game in all areas," said Ruff. "It was a strong game for us."

"It was a tight checking game," said Senators coach Jacques Martin. "We had some chances and Biron made some good saves."