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Sabres look to advance to conference semifinals

Apr 20, 2007 - 3:19 PM NY Islanders at Buffalo 7:00 pm EDT Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Sabres lead series, 3-1

BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) - The Buffalo Sabres are on the doorstep of returning to the Eastern Conference semifinal for the second straight season.

The top-seeded Sabres will try to close out their first-round series matchup against the New York Islanders when they meet Friday in Game Five.

Buffalo took control of the series with Wednesday's 4-2 road triumph. Chris Drury scored two goals, including the go-ahead tally in the second period.

"These were two hard-fought games," said Drury, who has five points in the series. "The mind-set is good, but there is work to be done."

It was Drury's second game-winner of the series and 14th of his playoff career. He also scored a pair of goals in Buffalo's 4-1 home victory in Game One.

"For whatever reason, pucks find people like Chris," Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said. "He has the knack for being in the right place and the knack for putting it away."

Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville each tallied for the Sabres, who could clinch a series on home ice for the first time since winning Game 6 of a first-round series against Philadelphia in 2001.

Trailing by one goal late in the third, the Islanders believed they scored the equalizer with 1:42 to go. But referee Mike Leggo waved off the apparent goal, and video replay officials confirmed the call.

"It's Rule 78-5," Leggo said. "If a goalie makes a save and the opposing player pushes him into the net with the puck, the goal is disallowed."

Mike Sillinger and Jason Blake each netted first-period goals for New York, which has failed to advance past the first round since its conference finals appearance in 1993.

"It's crunch time," Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro said. "They're obviously smelling the blood. We have to come out and play a good game on Friday. ... We can't sit around feeling sorry for ourselves."

If the DiPietro and the Islanders can pull out a win, Game Six will be in New York on Sunday.