Sabres 1 - 3 Devils
Final
  for this game

Devils slip past Sabres

Dec 29, 2011 - 5:32 AM Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - Petr Sykora scored twice and Martin Brodeur made 22 saves, leading the New Jersey Devils to a 3-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday.

Zach Parise also had a goal for the Devils, who have won six of their last eight games. Brodeur had an assist on Sykora's first goal.

Thomas Vanek scored for Buffalo while Ryan Miller allowed three goals on 23 shots.

The Sabres, who beat Washington at home Monday after an 0-3 road trip, haven't won back-to-back games since capturing four in a row from November 4-11.

Patrik Elias assisted on both of Sykora's goals. He led a rush midway through the first period, dropping a pass for Sykora on the right side then crashing the net as his teammate's shot trickled through Miller and over the line for a 1-0 lead.

"A frustrating start," said Miller.

Sykora scored his second goal 86 seconds into the middle period after Elias stole the puck and flipped him a pass into the slot.

"I'm getting a chance to play. I'm getting quite a bit of ice time and I'm getting a chance to play with some great players," said Sykora, who has 10 goals. "It's been a lot of fun."

Parise then gave the Devils a 3-0 lead at 6:55 of the second when he got a piece of Mark Fayne's slap shot from high on the right side.

Buffalo responded 46 seconds after that on the power play when Vanek cleaned up a rebound in front after Jordan Leopold's slap shot from the left side was turned away.

But Brodeur stopped all six shot he faced in the third period. His assist in the first period was the 40th point of his 19-year career.

Game Notes

New Jersey's next game is New Year's Eve against Pittsburgh at home...The Sabres remain on the road to play Washington on Friday...The Devils were 0- for-2 on the power play while Buffalo went 1-for-4.






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