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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."