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Miller, Sabres thwart Panthers

Jan 20, 2009 - 4:30 AM By Rick Menning PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SUNRISE, Florida (Ticker) -- The Buffalo Sabres started their six-game road trip off on the right foot with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Florida Panthers at BankAtlantic Center on Monday.

Ryan Miller turned aside 27 shots in regulation and stopped both attempts in the shootout for Buffalo, which claimed its third straight win.

Ales Kotalik and Derek Roy tallied in the bonus format while Thomas Vanek scored and Tim Connolly notched his third goal in two games during regulation for the Sabres.

"I'm satisfied. We knew we were in for a tough game," Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said. "We made a couple mistakes, but we didn't make a lot. The shootout is an area where we've gotten some points this year."

David Booth scored on penalty shot and added an assist, Nathan Horton also tallied and Tomas Vokoun finished with 21 saves for Florida, which is 5-0-3 in its last eight games.

"It's unfortunate, but at the same time you have to be pleased with the effort," Booth said. "We'll get back to work and see what happens (against Dallas) Wednesday."

The shootout loss was the Panthers' fourth straight and sixth in eight which have ventured into the bonus format this season.

"It's four extra points. It's definitely frustrating," Vokoun said. "But I'm sure if we play like we are right now, we're going to be fine regardless of what our record in shootouts is."

Florida rallied a 2-1 deficit with 3:24 remaining in the third after Horton accepted a feed from Booth from behind the net and fired a one-timer past Miller.

"The guys are battling out there, I just wish we could find a way to finish things off and get the other point," Florida defenseman Keith Ballard said.

The Sabres capitalized on their second power-play opportunity just 4:22 into the third period to take the lead in a matchup of two teams who entered play two points apart in the Eastern Conference.

"We had some power-play chances right at the start (of the third) and that was a definite advantage, but you've got to give (the Panthers) credit for hanging around," Vanek said. "We've been fortunate in the shootouts."

All-Star defenseman Jay Bouwmeester was serving his second minor of the period when Buffalo's Thomas Vanek netted his 28th from close range off the pad of Vokoun.

The Panthers had jumped ahead 1-0 when Booth netted his team-leading 19th goal on a penalty shot with 3:31 remaining in the first period.

It was the first such goal scored against Miller, who had stopped all eight previous attempts. The tally was also the first penalty-shot goal allowed by the Sabres since December 4, 2005.

Miller, who was 8-for-8 in penalty shot stops, was beaten cleanly to the stick side by Booth, who was held from behind by defenseman Henrik Tallinder on a breakaway.

Regardless of that goal, Florida coach Peter DeBoer had nothing but praise for Miller's all-around performance.

"I thought their goaltender through two periods was the difference in the game," DeBoer said. "We could have been up by two or three. I thought he was outstanding for the first 40 minutes and gave them a chance to hang around."

With just over two minutes left in the second period, Buffalo tied the game at 1-1 with a fortunate bounce following an initial shot by Connolly from the faceoff circle to the left of Vokoun.

The shot found the stick of Florida's Gregory Campbell, who tried for the clear but instead the puck caromed off the skate of defenseman Karlis Skrastins and just inside the far post.

"We'll take it," Connolly said. "We've been playing some pretty good hockey lately and it's a nice way to start the (road) trip."

The equalizer proved a tough turn of events for the Panthers, who outshot the Sabres by a 10-6 margin in the period and 19-13 heading into the final 20 minutes.

"I thought we created a lot of scoring chances tonight," DeBoer said. "Again, I thought he (Miller) was the difference. He was great for them."