BUFFALO — The games are already piling up on Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller, who made his ninth start of the season in a 3-2 overtime victory over Toronto on Friday. Miller is expected to be in the nets again tonight when the Sabres open a home-and-home series with the New York Islanders (7 p.m., MSG).
Miller led the league in goals against average heading into Friday’s contest, allowing just 1.60 goals per contest.
On Friday, he was the difference in the third period, turning aside 15 shots as the Maple Leafs rallied to send the game into overtime.
Miller made a few huge saves, none bigger than when he stopped Western New York native Lee Stempniak in the second period on a breakaway after a giveaway near center ice. He made another great save on Stempniak nearly six minutes into the third when the West Seneca native took a cross-ice feed from Ian White that Miller slid across and got a pad on.
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With Friday’s win, the Sabres tied the second-best franchise mark through 10 games in a season with an 8-1-1 record.
Buffalo’s 2006-07 President’s Trophy team opened the season 10-0-0, but only one other team started a year with 17 points through 10 games — the 1975-76 team that followed the team’s first Stanley Cup appearance.
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Drew Stafford opened the scoring on Friday, banging in his fourth goal of the season late in the first period on a power play.
For Stafford, the goal had a little extra meaning — it came on his 24th birthday.
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Alexie Ponikarovsky looked like he tied the game in the third when he wheeled and got a puck past Miller that clanged off the post, but it rolled out behind the Sabres netminder and into the corner. Miller was named the game’s second star while Tim Connolly, who had the team’s final two goals, was the first star.
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Buffalo’s Andrej Sekera is expected to return for the tonight’s game against the Islanders, and Lindy Ruff said it’s possible defenseman Nathan Paetsch will be moved up to a forward line.
Contact sports editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.
Sabres
SABRES NOTEBOOK: Miller’s minutes inching up
- Sabres
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Miller, Sabres blank the Bruins
With Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff nursing three broken ribs and watching from the press box, goalie Ryan Miller made 36 saves to earn his second shutout in three games in a 6-0 win over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night.
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Ruff stuff
As if the Buffalo Sabres haven't endured enough injuries already this season. Add coach Lindy Ruff to the list.
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Rangers top Sabres in a shootout
Henrik Lundqvist came out on top in a duel of goalies, stopping 34 shots through overtime and four of five in a shootout in the New York Rangers’ 1-0 win over Ryan Miller and the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night.
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Gaustad leads visiting Sabres to 3-1 win over Canadiens
Paul Gaustad had a goal and two assists to lead the Buffalo Sabres to a 3-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night.
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Chara opens All-Star draft by picking Datsyuk
Daniel Alfredsson stuck close to home — both his native Sweden and his adopted home of Ottawa — in making his selections in the NHL All-Star draft on Thursday night.
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Sabres snap 12-game road skid
Jason Pominvile and Nathan Gerbe scored in a shootout and Ryan Miller made 27 saves as the Buffalo Sabres snapped a 12-game losing streak on the road with a 2-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night.
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Losipeg
Ondrej Pavelec made 25 saves and the Winnipeg Jets beat Buffalo 4-1 on Thursday night, extending the Sabres’ franchise-record road losing streak to 11 games.
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Blackhawks blow out Sabres, 6-2
Jonathan Toews had two goals, rookies Andrew Shaw and Jimmy Hayes also scored, and the Chicago Blackhawks handed the Buffalo Sabres their 10th straight road loss, 6-2 on Wednesday night.
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Rough Road
Home ice has never been more of an advantage to the Red Wings than it has over the last 2 1-2 months.
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Leafs overturned
Jason Pominville scored the go-ahead goal with 5:47 left in the second period, and the Buffalo Sabres held on for a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night.
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