• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Alfredsson, Donovan help Senators edge Sabres

Nov 16, 2007 - 5:00 AM OTTAWA (Ticker) -- Different season, same result for the Ottawa Senators.

Daniel Alfredsson scored two goals in his 800th career game and Shean Donovan also tallied as the Senators defeated the Buffalo Sabres, 3-2, on Thursday in the first meeting between the teams since last season's Eastern Conference finals.

The Senators won that series in five games before falling in the same number of contests to the Anaheim Ducks in the Stanley Cup Finals.

As for this season, Ottawa won for the 10th time in 11 games and has a league-best 30 points.

Alfredsson was thrilled to score twice for the second straight game and fourth overall this season, but moreso because it resulted in a victory for his team.

"Every goal in a 3-2 game is a big one," Alfredsson said. "Scoring twice in my 800th game wouldn't have mattered much if we had lost."

Alfredsson opened the scoring 6:32 into the contest.

With the majority of the team in the midst of a line change, Ottawa's captain received a feed from Mike Fisher in the slot and calmly wristed an ice-level shot past goaltender Ryan Miller to extend his goal-scoring streak to four games.

"I tracked across with the pass, but Alfredsson was going the other way and my momentum carried me a little too far," Miller said. "I was sliding and couldn't get anything in front of him."

The lead lasted just 58 seconds, however, as Jochen Hecht netted his fifth of the season to forge a 1-1 tie.

After Buffalo won a faceoff in the offensive zone, defenseman Nolan Pratt skated along the blue line, moved into the high slot and backhanded a shot that netminder Martin Gerber had trouble controlling. The puck deflected off Gerber's right shoulder before Hecht alertly slapped it into the net.

"The puck was bouncing and rolling on Gerber, and I was able to get to it before anyone else did," Hecht said. "At the time, it was a big goal, but we didn't stay with them after that."

Alfredsson tallied again, taking advantage of Buffalo's failed clearing attempt.

With 67 seconds remaining in the period, Alfredsson scored his second goal of the game when he regained his own rebound after a brief goal-mouth scramble and tucked the puck behind Miller for his 15th of the season.

Donovan gave the Senators a 3-1 advantage after a brilliant feed from Fisher.

Fisher had the puck behind the net but alertly spotted Donovan in the slot. A pinpoint pass found the stick of the Timmins, Ontario native, and Donovan beat Miller inside the left goalpost with 3:12 remaining in the second.

"Fish made a great pass and I converted when I had the chance," Donovan said. "This team is playing so well, and we're working hard to keep it going, so scoring the winner like that is great, especially against a dangerous team like Buffalo.

"And seeing (Alfredsson) score two in his 800th game, with the fans chanting his name, was awesome. He's the MVP of the league in my eyes."

Buffalo halved the deficit as Derek Roy capitalized on a 5-on-3 power play with 8:33 remaining in the third period. But the Sabres could not get the equalizer past Gerber, who finished with 35 saves.

"I suppose some of us in this room are squeezing the stick a little bit," Roy said. "The effort is there and we're getting our chances, but tonight is another example of not getting it done when we need it.

"They're the best team in the league and I thought we outplayed them, for the most part, but we don't have anything to show for it."

For Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff, the game was another example of squandered opportunities that resulted in a loss.

"We just didn't make good on the chances we had," Ruff said. "It's as simple as that. But we're better than we were 10 days ago, and in 10 days, we'll be better than we are now."

Ottawa coach John Paddock was pleased with the win but not exactly happy with the way his team earned it.

"That certainly wasn't one of our better games." Paddock said. "But our penalty-killing was strong and we scored some goals at some key times. That was probably the difference."

Jason Spezza returned to the Senators' lineup after missing the last six games with a groin injury.

Miller finished with 31 saves for Buffalo.