Final
Sabres extend winning streak to four games
Jan 2, 2007 - 1:39 AM BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) -- Maxim Afinogenov scored once and set up another goal as Buffalo Sabres extended their winning streak to four games with a 3-1 triumph over the New York Islanders.Paul Gaustad and Jochen Hecht also tallied for the Sabres, who have an Eastern Conference-leading 61 points.
With Buffalo holding a 1-0 lead, Afinogenov extended the margin at 8:33 of the second period, when he put a wrist shot over goaltender Rick DiPietro's left shoulder for his 18th goal.
Ryan Miller made 29 saves for the Sabres, who were 1-for-5 on the power play.
"Our goalie played well, I thought their goalie played well too," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "I thought their goalie made as many good saves as our goalie did. There was times we traded some pretty good chances. Both goaltenders were very good."
Jason Blake pulled the Islanders within 2-1 at the 8:19 mark of the third period, when he put a backhander under Miller's pads.
"We had our opportunities," Blake said. "I thought we played well. They're a good hockey team. That's why they're doing the things they're doing. I thought every line had their opportunities. Our line had it's opportunities we just couldn't put it past Miller."
Blake's goal ended New York's scoreless streak at 186 minutes, 31 seconds after being shutout the last two games. The Islanders lost their third straight game.
"The big thing for us is making sure we play well," Islanders coach Ted Nolan said. "The way we played today, we're going to win our share. The last couple games the puck hasn't been bouncing for us and the last couple games we've probably played two of the top goaltenders in Miller and Brodeur. We've got to find a way to get some goals."
Hecht provided the final margin with an empty-net goal with 16 seconds remaining.
Gaustad started the scoring as he netted a power-play goal off a rebound over DiPietro's left shoulder at 8:06 of the first period. Afinogenov had an assist on the tally.
"Just getting to the net," Gaustad said. "I've been thinking to myself where I score most of my goals is in front of the paint. I haven't been getting there lately, just getting there, cleaning up the trash that lays around there. I've been playing well; I just haven't been getting the breaks. It felt good tonight."
DiPietro stopped 31 shots for the Islanders, who were 0-for-3 with the man advantage.
"That's three losses in a row for us," DiPietro said. "We have to figure out what we're doing wrong here. Try to get more pucks to the net, more traffic, generate some more goals."
"I think one of the biggest things is we need that presence in front of Miller tonight, or any goalie," Blake said. "We need someone standing in front of the net. Goalies are so good these days that they're going to stop the first shot. We had our opportunities tonight on the power play. I think our special teams, especially our power play, has got to get going."
- ------------------------------------
Ny Islanders
0 0 1 --1
Buffalo 1 1 1 --3
------------------------------------
FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Buffalo, Paul Gaustad 6 (power play) (Brian
Campbell, Maxim Afinogenov), 8:06. Penalties: B Witt, Nyi
(interference), 6:58; A Mair, Buf (high sticking), 8:23; M Sillinger,
Nyi (slashing), 9:33; H Tallinder, Buf (roughing), 9:3
Jan 1 7:03 PM - CORRECTION
NHL NY ISLANDERS 1
BUFFALO 3
3RD PRD: BUF - (EN) JOCHEN HECHT 10 (JASON POMINVILLE, CHRIS DRURY)
19:44
Jan 1 6:46 PM - NHL
FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
NY ISLANDERS 0 0 1 1
BUFFALO 1 1 1 3 FINAL
GOAL SCORING:
1ST PRD: BUF - (PP) PAUL GAUSTAD 6 (BRIAN CAMPBELL, MAXIM AFINOGENOV)
8:06
2ND PRD: BUF - MAXIM AFINOGENOV 18 (DEREK ROY, THOMAS VANEK) 11:27
3RD PRD: NYI - JASON BLAKE 22 (ARRON ASHAM, CHRIS CAMPOLI) 8:19
BUF - (EN) JOCHEN HE
Jan 1 6:28 PM - NHL
NY ISLANDERS 1
BUFFALO 3
3RD PRD: BUF - (EN) JOCHEN HECHT 10 (JASON POMINVILLE, TEPPO NUMMINEN)
19:44
Islanders vs. SabresJan 1 6:27 PM - NHL
NY ISLANDERS 1
BUFFALO 2
3RD PRD: NYI - JASON BLAKE 22 (ARRON ASHAM, CHRIS CAMPOLI) 8:19
Islanders vs. SabresJan 1 6:08 PM - NHL
END OF THE 2ND 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
NY ISLANDERS 0 0 0
BUFFALO 1 1 2 END OF THE 2ND
GOAL SCORING:
1ST PRD: BUF - (PP) PAUL GAUSTAD 6 (BRIAN CAMPBELL, MAXIM AFINOGENOV)
8:06
2ND PRD: BUF - MAXIM AFINOGENOV 18 (DEREK ROY, THOMAS VANEK) 11:27
SHOTS ON GOAL: 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
NYI
Jan 1 5:37 PM - NHL
NY ISLANDERS 0
BUFFALO 2
2ND PRD: BUF - MAXIM AFINOGENOV 18 (DEREK ROY, THOMAS VANEK) 11:27
Islanders vs. SabresJan 1 5:23 PM - NHL
END OF THE 1ST 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
NY ISLANDERS 0 0
BUFFALO 1 1 END OF THE 1ST
GOAL SCORING:
1ST PRD: BUF - (PP) PAUL GAUSTAD 6 (BRIAN CAMPBELL, MAXIM AFINOGENOV)
8:06
SHOTS ON GOAL: 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
NYI 13 13
BUF 12 12
GOALIES: NYI - RICK DI
Jan 1 4:45 PM - NHL
NY ISLANDERS 0
BUFFALO 1
1ST PRD: BUF - (PP) PAUL GAUSTAD 6 (BRIAN CAMPBELL, MAXIM AFINOGENOV)
8:06
Islanders vs. SabresJan 1 4:25 PM
Related News
- Islanders News: Horvat, Nelson, and Sorokin meet the press 8:10a
- A Non-Update Update on What’s Next Thu
- Rasmus Dahlin Added to NHL All-Star Game Thu
- Islanders News: Which Islander(s) gets ejected for Bo Horvat? Thu
- Stormy Weather as Sabres Fall to Hurricanes Thu
- Game Thread: Sabres vs. Hurricanes | Game 50 Wed
- “Hurricane Warning” Issued for Buffalo Wed
- GM for a Day: Three Options for A Timo Meier Trade Wed
- Islanders News: More on the Horvat trade, including Beauvillier and Räty’s thoughts Wed
- When Will the NHL Bring the All-Star Game Back to Buffalo? Tue
- Fourteen and Fabulous: Islanders reveal Bo Horvat’s new jersey number Tue
- “Dear Buffalo” - Dahlin on Miller, playoffs contention, growing up and more Tue