BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Derek Roy had a goal and two assists and
the Buffalo Sabres avoided blowing a three-goal lead to beat the
slumping road-weary Ottawa Senators 4-2 on Tuesday night.
Matt Ellis, Drew Stafford and Thomas Vanek with a game-sealing
empty-netter in the final minute also scored for the Sabres, who
won their third straight and snapped a four-game home losing streak
against their Northeast Division rivals. Ryan Miller stopped 31
shots to win for the fourth time in five starts.
Jason Spezza scored both goals for the Senators 32 seconds apart
in the second period after Ottawa fell behind 3-0. Spezza had an
opportunity to cap the comeback, but was robbed with 4:25 left when
his slap shot from the right circle was snagged by Miller.
The Senators dropped to 1-5-1 during an eight-game road trip
that ends at Boston on Thursday. Ottawa also dropped to 1-12-3 in
its past 16 games away from home.
The Sabres appeared ready to run away with the game after Ellis
opened the scoring 15 seconds in when he was set up in high slot by
Paul Gaustad, who forced a turnover at the left boards. The goal
was the Sabres' fastest to open a game since Vladimir Tsyplakov
scored 10 seconds in at Montreal on Nov. 25, 2000.
The Sabres eventually built a 3-0 lead 5:29 into the second
period when Roy was credited with a goal during a scramble in
front. Alex Auld stopped Roy's shot, but the rebound caromed in off
the skate of teammate Mike Fisher.
Ottawa finally gained life when Spezza scored twice to cut the
lead to 3-2 at the 7:34 mark of the second period. The first goal
came when, standing in the right corner, Spezza banked in a shot
off the glove of goalie Ryan Miller, who failed to protect the near
post.
Spezza then scored a more conventional goal, beating Miller
through the legs on a breakaway following a Sabres turnover in the
Senators' end.
The game had its chippy moments, the most curious coming late in
the first period when Sabres enforcer Andrew Peters was rubbing his
glove across the face of Jarkko Ruutu only to have the Senators
forward bite the glove right off Peters' hand. Peters doubled over
in pain clutching his thumb and complained to the officials.
Peters was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct for going after
Ruutu behind the play, while Ruutu was not penalized.
Notes: Ottawa, which hasn't played at home since a 5-4 win over
Dallas on Dec. 20, has been on the road because the team's arena
was used for the just-concluded World Junior Hockey Championship.
... Senators are 4-13-3 on the road this season after winning 20 or
more in each of their previous five seasons. ... Sabres were
without D Toni Lydman (flu) and RW Max Afinogenov, who's out
indefinitely after hurting his groin at Boston on Saturday. ...
Sabres D Craig Rivet returned after missing 11 games with a
shoulder injury.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)