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Anderson helps Panthers edge Sabres

Dec 5, 2008 - 5:37 AM By Rick Menning PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SUNRISE, Florida (Ticker) -- Craig Anderson continues to be the force behind the resurgence of the Florida Panthers.

Anderson made 45 saves as the Panthers edged the Buffalo Sabres, 2-1, on Thursday to extend their winning streak to a season-high three games.

Gregory Campbell opened the scoring with 4:18 left in the second period and set up defenseman Keith Ballard's goal 35 seconds later for the Panthers, who improved to 4-0-2 in their last six games.

"He was great, and especially when we needed him the most," Florida coach Peter DeBoer said of Anderson. "You go with the guy with the hot hand, and he's been all that and more."

The 26-year-old Anderson, who has started each of the last four games after taking over for veteran Tomas Vokoun in the second period of a 3-2 overtime loss to New Jersey on November 26, was vulnerable only during a 5-on-3 advantage for Buffalo.

"They were throwing everything they had at me, and then some," Anderson said. "The guys did a terrific job of cleaning up the rebounds."

After 35 minutes of a defensive struggle, the Panthers staked Anderson to a two-goal advantage in rapid fashion. Quick tallies by Campbell and Ballard left goaltender Ryan Miller and the Sabres shell-shocked after dominating play up to that point.

"That (stretch) was a huge confidence-builder," DeBoer said. "We took a couple of penalties and had to scramble a little at the end there, but it all worked out."

Campbell, who extended his points streak to four games, took a cross-ice pass from Michael Frolik and caught Miller going low with a wrist shot to the glove side for a 1-0 advantage. The play was set up by a perfect drop pass from defenseman Jay Bouwmeester to Frolik.

"Everything is clicking right now. We're starting to play with a purpose," Campbell said. "You go out there and give it all you have, and good things can happen."

Streaking in from the right side, Campbell was on the giving end of Florida's second goal as he found Ballard for a slap shot that beat Miller for a 2-0 bulge.

"We won some battles tonight," Ballard said. "It wasn't flashy. We have to work hard for everything we get, and tonight our effort paid off."

Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said the effort from his team was there.

"I thought we came out a lot more aggressive but then we had that lapse and it cost us," he said. "We had our opportunities, but they just didn't go in."

Anderson finished 8 minutes, 41 seconds shy of his second shutout in five days, as Ales Kotalik helped the Sabres capitalize on their two-man advantage with his sixth goal of the season. But it was not enough to prevent Buffalo from suffering its third straight loss.

"We're a strong-enough group that we can figure what to do and how to get through this," Kotalik said.