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Miller backstops Sabres over Islanders

Feb 22, 2012 - 6:00 AM Buffalo, NY (Sports Network) - Buffalo's Ryan Miller made 30 saves in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Islanders.

Tyler Myers and Thomas Vanek both scored while Derek Roy and Jason Pominville had two assists apiece for the Sabres. They have won two straight following an 0-3-1 stretch.

"We played a really good game tonight," said Roy. "From the goalie out we worked hard and we were really disciplined."

Frans Nielsen had a third-period goal and Kevin Poulin stopped 35 shots for the Islanders, who were coming off of Monday's 6-0 loss to the Senators. Head coach Jack Capuano and No. 1 goalie Evgeni Nabokov were both out with the flu.

"We had a close game today and I think we had some good opportunities at the end," said Poulin. "I think we have to build on it."

Nielsen cut into the Sabres 2-0 lead with just over five minutes remaining, receiving a pass from P.A. Parenteau and burying a slap shot from the left circle. The Islanders, though, could get no closer.

Myers staked Buffalo to an early advantage, slamming home a rebound amidst a scrum in front of the net just 1:21 into the game.

Roy set up Vanek early in the second. He sat behind the net, surveying, before sending the puck out front, where a waiting Vanek sent it home from between the circles for a 2-0 advantage at the 3:41 mark.

Miller, meanwhile, made 14 saves in the first, six in the second and 10 in the third.

Game Notes

Pominville has six goals and six assists in his last nine games...Nabokov has missed four straight with the flu...Doug Weight acted as interim coach in Capuano's absence...This was the fourth and final meeting between the teams this season. The Islanders took the season series, 2-1-1.