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Miller, Sabres blank Panthers

Oct 21, 2011 - 5:15 AM Sunrise, FL (Sports Network) - Ryan Miller recorded his first shutout this season, and 23rd of his career, as the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Florida Panthers, 3-0.

Miller, who made 22 saves, has notched five shutouts in each of the last three seasons.

Thomas Vanek scored twice, while Jason Pominville added the other goal and two assists for Buffalo, which won its third straight.

Jose Theodore stopped 35-of-38 shots for the Panthers, who were shutout for the second straight game since capturing a 7-4 win over Tampa Bay on Monday.

"We had more energy tonight for sure, we have to find a way to score goals 5- on-5 because the last couple of games, even when you get one power play a game, or two you still got to find ways to win games in other areas," Panthers forward Kris Versteeg said.

The Sabres scored their first goal 2:33 into the second period when Vanek deflected Pominville's wrist shot from the right circle past Theodore.

Pominville made it 2-0 late in the second period when Ville Leino found him in the crease on a nice feed from the left circle.

Vanek tallied his second goal, this time on a power-play, as he laced a slap shot from the right circle to put the game away with 2:29 left in the final period.

Game Notes

Buffalo takes on Tampa Bay in a home-and-home beginning Saturday with the first game at Tampa...The Panthers finish off their quick two-game homestand Saturday against the Islanders...Vanek recorded his fifth and sixth goals this season, while Pominville tallied his sixth and seventh assists this year.