Wyatt Johnston scores go-ahead goal midway through 3rd period as Stars beat Sabres 4-2

DALLAS (AP) — Wyatt Johnston scored the tiebreaking goal in his 200th NHL game as the Dallas Stars beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 on Tuesday night.

Johnston tipped a centering pass by Thomas Harley over Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s right shoulder to give Dallas a 3-2 lead at 11:32 of the third period.

Jason Robertson had a goal and two assists, Roope Hintz scored his team-best 16th goal and Esa Lindell added an empty-netter for the Stars, who have points in their last four games (3-0-1). Casey DeSmith, making his ninth start this season, finished with 21 saves and got his second career assist on Lindell’s goal.

Jason Tucker and Beck Malenstyn scored for the Sabres, who had a three-game winning streak snapped. Luukkonen stopped 29 shots.

Sabres: Luukkonen made multiple point-blank saves while stopping Dallas’ first 20 shots on goal. ... Tage Thompson assisted on Zucker's goal and has points in four consecutive games (two goals, three assists). He has 10 points in his last eight games against Dallas (three goals, seven assists). ... Zucker has scored in three of the last four games.

Stars: Dallas went 8-5-1 in December despite a 10.4% power play (5 for 48). The Stars were 0 for 1 vs. Buffalo and failed to score on their last 16 man advantages of the month. ... Robertson has 14 points in the last 12 games (four goals, 10 assists).

Harley’s pass from the left boards hugged the ice, allowing Johnston to put the puck on net.

The Stars didn’t take a penalty for the first time this season. It came against a Buffalo team that scored two power-play goals in its 4-2 win at St. Louis on Sunday and had four power-play goals in the previous four games.

The Sabres visit Colorado on Thursday, while the Stars will host Ottawa.

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

Buffalo Sabres left wing Jason Zucker scores a goal against Dallas Stars goaltender Casey DeSmith as Sabres right wing Alex Tuch and Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4), look on, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley (55) and Buffalo Sabres right wing JJ Peterka (77) fight for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (4) and Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene (95) battle for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Buffalo Sabres center Sam Lafferty and Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24) crash into the boards during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (23) defends a shot by Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene (95) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) diverts a shot on goal by the Dallas Stars during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) diverts the puck in front of Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Lauren Spurgin, left, and Kate Spurgin, of Dallas, wear festive New Year's glasses prior to an NHL hockey game between the Buffalo Sabres and the Dallas Stars in Dallas, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Heat suspended Jimmy Butler for seven games on Friday and said they will seek to trade him.

The Heat said the suspension was for “conduct detrimental to the team over the course of the season and particularly the last several weeks.”

“Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team,” the Heat said in a statement, one day after Butler said in a postgame press conference that he does not believe he can be happy playing in Miami going forward.

Butler will lose about $336,543 per game during the suspension, or about $2,355,798 in all. He has the right to an appeal, which could lessen the financial hit.

Butler will not be with the team for its home game Saturday against Utah and then the totality of a six-game road trip to Sacramento, Golden State, Utah, Portland, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers.

In theory, the earliest that Butler could play again for the Heat is Jan. 17 at home against Denver. But he has likely played for Miami for the final time.

“Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated that they wish to be traded, therefore, we will listen to offers,” the Heat said.

It's a turnaround from a week ago, when Heat President Pat Riley said that the team would not trade Butler.

But now, the relationship between Butler and the Heat — a talking point for weeks — appears to be well past the breaking point.

The Heat lost to Indiana 128-115 on Thursday night, with Butler scoring exactly nine points and sitting out the fourth quarter for the second consecutive game. It also happened Wednesday in a win over New Orleans.

“What do I want to see happen? I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball, wherever that may be — we’ll find out here pretty soon,” Butler said. “I want to get my joy back. I’m happy here, off the court, but I want to be back to somewhere dominant. I want to hoop and I want to help this team win. Right now, I’m not doing that.”

He was then asked if he can find that joy in Miami. “Probably not,” Butler said, and with that, his postgame news conference ended.

The 35-year-old Butler became eligible last summer for a two-year, $113 million extension. The Heat did not offer one, and Riley expressed reservations about how giving such a deal to any player who misses a big number of games.

Butler has missed about one of every four Heat contests since he joined the team. He said at media day this fall he believed his play this season would have the extension decision “take care of itself.”

“I guess I’ve got to go and hoop. ... I’ve got to prove that I am a major part of winning and rightfully so. I’ve done it before. This is no different,” Butler said then.

But now, the sides are on their way to a bad breakup. It won't be the first for the Heat — LeBron James left in 2014, Dwyane Wade left before eventually returning, Shaquille O'Neal got traded — and won't be the first for Butler, either.

There are parallels to what’s happening in Miami now and the end of Butler’s time in Minnesota.

In 2018, Butler was months away from potentially becoming a free agent (as is the case now) and was unhappy with the Timberwolves (as is the case now, just with the Heat). He said in an interview with ESPN — after an infamous practice where he shredded teammates with his play and his words — that he wanted to hear the Wolves saying, “We need you. We want you here. We can’t do this without you.”

His words from Tuesday suggested the same, that he’s not feeling the level of love that he wanted from the Heat. “It’s good to be talked about. Even better to be wanted, though. Remember that,” Butler said after a practice session.

Eventually, Butler got his way. Minnesota traded him to Philadelphia — and then he got his way again less than a year later, when he agreed to join the Heat after a sign-and-trade. He said he wanted to be in Miami to finish his career.

Both sides were rewarded along the way. Butler has made about $200 million in salary in his 5 1/2 Heat seasons (with another $25 million still coming this season), and the Heat got to enjoy two runs to the NBA Finals.

It worked. Until it didn't.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler is introduced before an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) stands on the court during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, third from left, and forward Duncan Robinson, right, watch from the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) and center Bam Adebayo, left, are introduced before an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler warms up on the court before an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)