BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) - Thomas Vanek scored two goals and notched three assists, leading the Buffalo Sabres to a 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday afternoon. It was the Sabres' first game of the season.
Steve Ott also scored for Buffalo in his team debut.
Tyler Myers and Cody Hodgson tallied goals as well.
Sean Couturier and Claude Giroux scored for Philly.
The Sabres went 3-6 on the power play.
Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller made 27 saves improving to 6-1-1 in season-openers.
Vanek’s career-best five-point game is the first by a Sabres player since Drew Stafford scored five (3+2) vs. Atlanta on Jan. 18, 2008. His nine shots tie a career high, set 1/30/2008 at Florida and tied twice last year (10/7/11 vs. Anaheim, 3/7/12 vs. Carolina).
Sabres forward Ville Leino missed the game with a nagging leg injury. Buffalo head coach Lindy Ruff says Leino is doubtful for Monday night's game in Toronto.
