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Miller, Sabres hold off Senators

Jan 7, 2009 - 7:39 AM BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) -- Ryan Miller and the Buffalo Sabres became the latest hosts to treat the Ottawa Senators rudely.

Miller made 11 of his 31 saves in the third period and Derek Roy recorded a goal and two assists to lead the Sabres to a 4-2 triumph over the road-challenged Senators on Tuesday.

Drew Stafford and Thomas Vanek each scored a goal and set up another for Buffalo. Vanek's tally, an empty-netter, tied him with Washington's Alex Ovechkin and Philadelphia's Jeff Carter for the NHL lead with 27.

"It's all about playing as a team and working hard," Roy said. "We got to doing those little things that make you successful, come out strong. Especially at home, we've been coming out with no energy, but tonight we came out really strong, forechecked the puck, made some nice plays."

Jason Spezza scored twice for the Senators, who fell to 1-5-1 on their eight-game road trip.

"It's tough, we're struggling, we're in other team's buildings," Spezza said. "Things aren't going our way, guys are gripping the stick a little bit and it's tougher when you're away from home. It hasn't been a fun trip."

It appeared as if the Sabres would cruise to victory when Roy tipped in the puck at 5:29 of the second period for his 14th goal of the season and a 3-0 lead.

But Spezza netted goals 32 seconds apart later in the middle session to draw Ottawa within 3-2, including one on which he banked the puck off the back of Miller from behind the end line.

However Miller shut the door thereafter to lead Buffalo to its third straight win.

"Well, we thought we had a chance. We had lots of chances," Ottawa coach Craig Hartsburg said. "In the third, we battled and competed. Unfortunately, we had a really slow start first shift, which puts us on our heels. A team that's obviously fragile right now, that's certainly not the way to start."

The Sabres jumped to a 1-0 lead just 15 seconds into the contest on a goal by Matt Ellis. Paul Gaustad made a pass into the slot to Ellis, whose one-timer beat goaltender Alex Auld to the glove side for his third goal in two games.

With 6:47 left, Andrew Peters was whistled for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during a scrum in which he apparently had his right thumb bitten by Jarkko Ruutu, although Ottawa's left wing denied it after the game.

"Maybe the league will take care of it and that will be enough, that will be the end of it, that's all I can say," Peters said.

"It was a way for him to try and draw a penalty," Ruutu said. "Nothing happened there."

Stafford tallied with 3:59 left in the first, when he took a pass from Roy and skated toward the net. He lost control of the puck, but it slid between the legs of Auld to double Buffalo's advantage.

"We've had some leads disintegrate in this building," Miller said. "I think it's mainly a reflection of the attitude we want to take where we're not just hoping we win, we're going out and battling against the other team. Hopefully, that's something we can sustain through the season. Hopefully, we can keep stringing these together."

Auld stopped 25 shots for Ottawa, which fell to 4-13-3 away from home this season.

Captain Daniel Alfredsson notched two assists to give him a team-high 25 and tie him with Dany Heatley - who also set up a goal - for the club lead in points with 36.