Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009

Miller, Sabres beat Islanders 3-0

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Ryan Miller made 24 saves for his second shutout of the season and 14th overall, and Thomas Vanek had a goal and assist in the Buffalo Sabres' 3-0 victory over the New York Islanders on Wednesday night.

Derek Roy and Paul Gaustad also scored to help the Sabres (9-2-1) rebound from a 5-0 loss to the Islanders on Saturday on Long Island.

Miller was solid throughout, and rarely allowed any rebound opportunities. The Sabres have the stingiest defense in the NHL, allowing only 24 goals.

Former Sabres goalie Martin Biron made 36 saves for the Islanders (5-5-5), who had their winning streak snapped at four. New York was attempting to win five straight for the first time since a six-game run in February 2008.

Biron earned the shutout against his former teammates four days ago.

Roy opened the scoring with his first of the season at 8:27 of the first period on the power play, wristing a shot from the top of the left circle that beat Biron on the stick side. Buffalo cashed in again on the power play with 2:47 left in the second period when Vanek deposited the puck past Biron on his own rebound from in tight.

Gaustad capped the scoring with 3:41 left when he jammed the puck in. The play was upheld after a video review showed the puck crossed the goal line before Biron was able to freeze it.

NOTES: Buffalo recalled G Jhonas Enroth to replace injured backup Patrick Lalime, who hurt his groin in practice earlier in the week. D Toni Lydman was placed on IR because of a groin injury. ... This was the third meeting between the two teams already this season. ... New York rookie John Tavares has a four-game points streak snapped. ... The Islanders will play eight of their next nine on the road, where they have a 1-3-3 record. ... The Sabres have beaten the Islanders eight times in the last 10 meetings in Buffalo.

2009-11-05     02:44:09 GMT

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