National Hockey League Game Capsules

Published online on Tuesday, Nov. 03, 2009

Ryan Miller posted his second shutout of the season with 24 saves, and Thomas Vanek picked up a goal and an assist, as the Buffalo Sabres notched a 3-0 win to defeat the streaking New York Islanders. Derek Roy pocketed his first goal of the year and Paul Gaustad his third for Buffalo, which had a four-game win streak snapped Saturday on Long Island in a 5-0 setback to the Isles. It was just the second regulation loss of the season for the Northeast Division-leading Sabres. Miller was pulled in Saturday's setback after allowing three goals on 16 shots but recorded his 14th career blanking in a successful encore. New York had won four in a row to match a season-high win streak from last year and was aiming for its longest winning stretch since a six-game tear from February 12-21, 2008. The Islanders had just one win on the season prior to putting together the streak. Former Sabre Martin Biron, who made 38 saves for his 200th career win on Saturday, was back in net for New York and was beaten three times on 39 shots.

Final Score: New Jersey 3, Washington 2

Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - Nicklas Bergfors scored two power-play goals in the third period, as the New Jersey Devils defeated the Washington Capitals, 3-2, at Prudential Center. Brian Rolston also tallied, while Travis Zajac collected two assists for the Devils, who have won three straight and six of their last seven games. Martin Brodeur made 26 saves in the win. Tyler Sloan and Tomas Fleischmann lit the lamp for the Capitals, who had recorded a point in each of their previous nine outings (6-0-3). Semyon Varlamov stopped 29 of the 32 shots he faced for Washington, which played its first contest without Russian sniper Alex Ovechkin in the lineup. The two-time reigning Hart Trophy winner and Rocket Richard Trophy recipient, Ovechkin missed just the fifth game of his career -- third because of injury -- with an upper-body strain that he suffered in Sunday's overtime loss at home to Columbus. He is listed as week-to-week.

Final Score: San Jose 3, Columbus 2 (SO)

Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Dan Boyle had an assist and scored the game- winner in the shootout, as the San Jose Sharks won their sixth consecutive game with a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. After the first three shooters missed to begin the shootout, Boyle fired a wrister that found the upper right-hand corner of the net. Evgeni Nabokov then made a pad save on Rick Nash to secure the win for San Jose. Dany Heatley and Joe Thornton each lit the lamp for the Sharks, who haven't dropped a game since losing to Tampa Bay on October 22. Nabokov stopped 26- of-28 shots for the victors. Nash and Jason Chimera scored for the Blue Jackets, who have lost four of their last five tilts. Anton Stralman had a pair of assists for Columbus, which got 36 saves from Steve Mason in defeat.

Final Score: Florida 3, Carolina 0

Sunrise, FL (Sports Network) - Tomas Vokoun made 32 saves, including 21 in the opening period, to post his second consecutive shutout, as the Florida Panthers defeated the spiraling Carolina Hurricanes, 3-0, at BankAtlantic Center. Vokoun turned aside all 34 shots in Saturday's 4-0 triumph in St. Louis. Steven Reinprecht, Cory Stillman and Bryan Allen each scored in the third period for the Panthers, who have won three straight overall. Cam Ward stopped 22 shots for the Hurricanes, who set a franchise record with their 10th consecutive loss. Carolina also played its first game without top forward Eric Staal, who is considered week-to-week with an upper-body injury.