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Sundin, Raycroft star as Maple Leafs blank Sabres

Nov 10, 2007 - 4:46 AM BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) -- It has become evident the Buffalo Sabres sorely miss the offensive abilities of Daniel Briere and Chris Drury.

Mats Sundin had a goal and an assist and Andrew Raycroft stopped all 30 shots he faced as the Toronto Maple Leafs blanked the Sabres, 3-0, on Friday in a battle of Northeast Division rivals.

It marked the third time this season - and second in three games - Buffalo has been shut out. With co-captains Briere and Drury - who both left as free agents over the summer - leading the offense, the Sabres went the entire 2006-07 campaign without being blanked.

"Obviously, it's early in the season," Buffalo's Derek Roy said. "We've got to stick with the system, trust in each other and not squeeze the stick as much."

Sundin set up the Toronto's first goal with just 36 seconds remaining in the second period.

On a faceoff in the offensive zone, the captain won the draw, sending the puck back to Bryan McCabe. The defenseman one-timed a shot that deflected off the stick of Paul Gaustad and beat goaltender Ryan Miller to the glove side to give the Maple Leafs a lead they would not relinquish.

"We're working on it all the time," McCabe said. "(Sundin) is one of the best faceoff men in the league. I had a couple of good picks from the forwards and just happen to put her in."

McCabe returned to the lineup after missing the previous six games with a groin strain.

Sundin doubled Toronto's advantage just 2:54 into the third period.

With Toronto breaking out on a 3-on-2, Sundin joined the rush by streaking up the middle of the ice. Defenseman Tomas Kaberle fed the Swede, who skated in and snapped a shot that Miller was unable to handle cleanly.

Conversely, Raycroft recorded his sixth career shutout - and first this season - by stopping 15 shots in the first period, nine in the second and six in the third.

"It feels good, obviously," Raycroft said. "There's been no reason for me to play, Vesa (Toskala) has been playing great. More than anything, it just feels good to know I'm doing the right thing in practice on a daily basis and when I do get called, I can come in and be sharp."

Buffalo had back-to-back power plays late in the first period but could not get anything past Raycroft.

During one man advantage, the netminder denied Jason Pominville's shot from the point, but the rebound dribbled perilously out in the open. However, Raycroft was able to snare the puck before Nathan Paetsch closed in.

"Andrew played a great game, the best game he's played all year," Sundin said. "I thought, as a group, we did a much better job keeping Buffalo to the outside. Raycroft was outstanding tonight."

The Sabres had a tally disallowed when Gaustad was called for goaltender interference as Ales Kotalik was putting the puck past Raycroft six minutes into the first period.

"You've got to generate the chances first," Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said. "Tonight, we had 15-16 chances. That usually equates to two or three goals. That's my only frustration. I felt a lot of guys really skated well."

Boyd Devereaux scored with 58 seconds remaining to seal the win for the Maple Leafs.

Miller made 20 saves for the Sabres, who have lost four of five.