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Campbell, Drury lead Sabres past Islanders

Apr 13, 2007 - 5:18 AM BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) -- Defenseman Brian Campbell and Chris Drury had fans of the New York Islanders saying "Dubie Dubie Don't" this time.

Campbell had two goals and an assist and Drury also tallied twice as the Buffalo Sabres ended New York goaltender Wade Dubielewicz's recent run of success with a 4-1 victory over the Islanders in Game One of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.

Dainius Zubrus set up three tallies for Buffalo, which hosts Game Two on Saturday.

With starting netminder Rick DiPietro out with a concussion, Dubielewicz took over and led New York to the eighth and final playoff berth in the East by winning its final four regular-season games, including a dramatic shootout triumph over New Jersey in the finale.

"We're not just going to settle for just being in the playoffs," said Jason Blake, the Islanders' leading scorer during the regular season. "We're here, we're playing a good opponent."

The 28-year-old was strong in the first period of his postseason debut, making 10 saves as New York was outshot, 11-1. But the magic began to wear off as the Islanders took several penalties in the second after tying the game at 1-1, and Drury made them pay with a power-play goal midway through the session to put the Sabres ahead for good.

Buffalo's co-captain, Drury doubled the lead 68 seconds into the third and Campbell capped the win with his second of the game late in the period.

"It felt good to get the first one, especially at home," Drury said. "Even when we did give up chances, (goaltender Ryan Miller) was solid. Special teams were pretty good. Overall, I thought it was a pretty good effort."

Miller made 20 saves for the Presidents' Trophy-winning Sabres, who went 6-2 at home in the playoffs last year.

"You want to get in the game, but I was able to handle the puck a little bit, talk to the guys," Miller said of facing one shot in the first. "My job as a goalie is to make up for mistakes. If the guys aren't going to make too many, you're happy for them."

"We've got to find somewhere to get some offense because we didn't have enough tonight," New York defenseman Sean Hill said. "Whether it's the defense jumping in or maybe pinching a little bit more. We've got to find a way to get some more shots because Miller is too good to get 15 or 20 shots and win."

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff was pleased with his team's effort in the opening 20 minutes.

"If you look at the first period of play, we were doing a good job and we didn't give up too much defensively," he said. "We had some decent opportunities and I think we realized we are not going to get a lot and they are trying to play a strong defensive game against us."

An All-Star for the first time this season, Campbell opened the scoring 9 1/2 minutes into the first period. Former Islander Tim Connolly made a cross-slot pass to the blue-liner, who fired a one-timer from the top of the right faceoff circle past Dubielewicz for his first career postseason goal.

"(Adam) Mair made a great play off the wall to give it to Tim," Campbell said. "Tim does what he does best and set up guys. That made it easy for me."

Arron Asham drew New York even at 6:58 of the second with his first playoff tally, converting a feed from Blake during a 2-on-1 rush. But with Islanders defenseman Brendan Witt in the penalty box for delay of game, the Sabres regained the lead.

Campbell unleashed a slap shot from the top of the left circle that hit a body in front. Drury swooped in and buried the loose puck with 8:47 to go in the period for his 36th career postseason goal.

He made 3-1 early in the third on a one-timer from the left circle, and Campbell beat Dubielewicz with a slapper from the blue line during another power play with 3:25 remaining for the final margin.

"Five-on-5, we did OK," said Islanders coach Ted Nolan, who coached the Sabres from 1995-97. "We limited their opportunities. They are an explosive hockey club. You have to be on your best defensive behavior at all times. We just need to get better on special teams. We gave up two power-play goals, we didn't get any."