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Sabres rattle Senators with fast start

Nov 22, 2007 - 5:18 AM By Dave Whalen PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) -- The Buffalo Sabres got off to a fast start, scoring three first-period goals en route to a 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators.

Mike Ryan snapped a nine game scoreless drought with his first goal of the year just 1:26 into the game, and Buffalo never looked back.

Ryan, parked in front, one timed a Daniel Paille pass from the left side, giving Buffalo an early lead for only the second time in their last 16 games.

The Sabres upped the score to 2-0 when Ales Kotalik converted on the power play, snapping a 35 foot shot by the far stick side of Ottawa goaltender Ray Emery.

"I wouldn't call it luck", Kotalik said. "We've been working on it in practice and everybody's been on the same page. We've made some really good plays and they've ended up in the net. We had a couple more opportunities, it could have been more than 3-0."

Derek Roy closed out the scoring when he capitalized on a two-on-one break, popping a nifty pass from Thomas Vanek by Emery with just 38 seconds left in the session. It looked as if Vanek waited too long, actually going behind the net before feeding Roy on the other side of the crease.

"I stole a puck off (Senators center Mike) Fisher, we had the break in two on one", Roy said. "I wanted to get it to Thomas (Vanek). He's a great passer and a great goal scorer. I gave it to him early and he found me back door with the open net. It was a great play."

The Senators stormed back in the second period, scoring two goals in a span of 2:02 midway through the second period.

Daniel Alfredsson took advantage of a Henrik Tallinder giveaway when Jason Spezza found him all alone in front. Alfredsson went quick to the glove side by a helpless Ryan Miller for his 16th goal of the season.

Dany Heatley continued his mastery of Buffalo when he out muscled Tallinder in front, grabbing a rebound and beating Miller before he could get set. His power play goal gave him 39 points in 27 games against the Sabres.

"We obviously weren't ready for them, their speed off the bat", Heatley said. "A mistake on the first one then a power play. You can't turn the puck over to them. They've got some guys who can do some damage."

The Sabres managed to regain a two goal lead when Vanek made a nice cross ice pass to Drew Stafford streaking to the net. He redirected it behind Emery for his fourth of the year, giving Buffalo a 4-2 lead after two periods. Vanek has five assists in his last two games.

"I think we played a little flat in the second", Vanek said. "(Stafford's) was a big goal for us to get up two. In the third I think we played solid against them."

The Senators missed two golden opportunities to tie the game in the third period.

The first came when Miller stopped Heatley from right in front 4:15 into the period. The other saw Chris Kelly miss a wide open net after he streaked up the right side and pulled Miller out. Looking at an open net, he hit the left post.

"We've been up and down a bit", Ottawa defenseman Wade Redden said. "This road trip we've had a few tough games. We want to get home. We've got a couple at home, get winning again. They've got the jump on us early. We've got to be ready to go."

Ottawa 's Patrick Eaves left the game with 1:54 left in the first period after he collided with Buffalo's Brian Campbell deep in the Sabres zone. He suffered a separated right shoulder.