Tim Connolly Scores Overtime Winner For Sabres

by

Oct 30, 2009

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Tim Connolly scored a power-play goal 1:04 into overtime, and Ryan Miller made 33 saves to help the surging Buffalo Sabres beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 on Friday night.

Miller improved to 8-0-1, and the Sabres (8-1-1) won their fourth straight game to match their second-best start after 10 games since entering the NHL in 1970.

Drew Stafford also scored for Buffalo.

Ian White and Mikhail Grabovski scored for Toronto, and Jonas Gustavsson made 25 saves. The Maple Leafs are an NHL-worst 1-8-2.

Miller was particularly sharp in the third period when the Maple Leafs applied plenty of pressure in registering a 16-5 shots advantage. He was finally beaten when Grabovski deflected Tomas Kaberle's shot to tie the game. The short-handed goal came with Gustavsson off for an extra attacker with 37.3 seconds left in regulation.

The goal was upheld after a short review.

Stafford opened the scoring with 4:49 left in the first period, shoveling home a loose puck in the crease with Buffalo on a two-man advantage.

White tied it with a slap shot from the right point that eluded Miller with just over a minute to go in the first.

Connolly made it 2-1 midway through the second period when he beat Gustavsson on the stick side with a shot while on a breakaway.

Notes
The Sabres are 9-2 in their last 11 games against Toronto, including winning six straight. … Buffalo D Toni Lydman missed his third straight game because of a groin injury. … The Maple Leafs, who came in with the best power-play unit in the league, finished 0-for-4 with the man advantage. … Toronto plays at Montreal Saturday to complete a five-game road trip. … The Maple Leafs have led after two periods just once in 11 games. … The 1975-76 Sabres also were 8-1-1 after 10 games.

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