Sabres vs. Islanders Recap: Ryan Miller Breaks Hasek's Franchise Record

by Zachary Zielonka on Feb 5, 2012 11:44 AM EST in Game Recaps

UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 04: Ryan Miller #30 of the Buffalo Sabres covers the puck as P.A. Parenteau #15 of the New York Islanders looks for the rebound at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on February 4, 2012 in Uniondale, New York. The Sabres defeated the Islanders 4-3 in the shootout. With the win, Miller becomes the franchise leader in wins with 235 by surpassing Dominik Hasek's record. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

It only took Ryan Miller 33 games to get 14 wins this season, but his 14th win was the win that broke Dominik Hasek's franchise record for career wins with his 235 career wins. Jason Pominville scored the game winning shootout goal to give Buffalo their third win in four games and to extend their point streak to four games.

The first period was not the greatest period for the Sabres as they saw themselves in a 3-1 hole by the end of it. Frans Nielsen got the scoring started early, 1:39 into the game, after Mike Weber gives the puck away to Michael Grabner behind the net. Grabner quickly found Nielsen in front of the net and Nielsen snapped it past Miller. Nathan Gerbe tied the game less than four minutes later but the Islanders scored twice more, one by Josh Bailey and the other by Nielsen again.

The Sabres defense locked down for the rest of the game though and the offense was able to actually score two more goals to send the game to overtime. Derek Roy scored his 10th goal of the season in the second period and Paul Gaustad scored the game tying goal with 8:14 left in the third period.

The overtime period saw the Sabres killing off a too many men penalty and the Islanders were able to get a bunch of shots off, nine total, in the five minute period. In the shootout, both P.A. Parenteau and Frans Nielsen missed while Brad Boyes and Jason Pominville scored.

Miller did not have the easiest game for his 235th career win. After allowing three goals on nine shots in the first period, Miller settled down and shut the Islanders out for the rest of the game. Miller made 35 saves on the night and stopped both Islanders shooters. "I'm proud of it, it's nice. I'm proud of being a Buffalo Sabre and was really excited coming in as a young player and looking up to Dominik Hasek."

The Sabres will have the next couple of days off and they will face off against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday at the First Niagara Center. That game is the first of a four game home stand for the Sabres.

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Congrats to Miller

flayed ones stealth mode

"Fleshling! Do not shoot! For I am one of you fleshy things. It is I. Your Uncle Stan. Can't you tell by the long strips of fleshy substances covered in bodily fluids? Trust me! I have fleeeeeeeeesh."

by mob16151 on Feb 5, 2012 11:48 AM EST reply actions

Way to go Miller!

And Congrats to the team on the W. Danny Gare said we’d learn a lot about this team going into the 3rd, and I think we did. Goose was loose for sure, and Roy I thought had a great game as well. If there’s any chance this season, I’m going to say we will know for sure come Wednesday vs Boston. Lindy better have these guys in the right frame of mind for that game…I’m looking forward to it!

by buffaloparks on Feb 5, 2012 1:09 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Congrats to Miller. More importantly, lets keep up the point streak.

by kitaman27 on Feb 5, 2012 1:20 PM EST reply actions

Good for Ryan Miller................

Bad for the Sabres; they had to go to a shootout to beat another bottom feeder. Meanwhile, teams like the Devils are scoring 6 goals.

by Geolover on Feb 5, 2012 1:55 PM EST reply actions

A win is a win. Honestly, with the way things were going last month, I’m not sure how anyone can complain about getting 7 of a possible 8 points in our last 4 games.

by lassathrax on Feb 5, 2012 2:17 PM EST up reply actions

I just hope they don't play themselves out of contention for Mikhail Grigorenko.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Feb 5, 2012 3:05 PM EST up reply actions

who’s that?

The fans are going to be so loud they are going to hear us in the next Dimension - abayarde

by BillsFanSanDiego619 on Feb 5, 2012 5:24 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

.

This guy (#25).

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Feb 6, 2012 2:15 AM EST up reply actions

What's required for us to get this guy?

The fans are going to be so loud they are going to hear us in the next Dimension - abayarde

by BillsFanSanDiego619 on Feb 6, 2012 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

Probably one of the top 2 picks in the draft. Which would mean we would have to be in the bottom 5 in the regular season to get into the lottery to have a chance at one of those top 2 picks.

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on Feb 6, 2012 3:55 PM EST up reply actions

The same Devils that the Sabres just beat?

And didn’t you say yesterday that the Isles were LOADED with scorers? A statement by itself that is hilarious.

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Follow @twoeightnine

by twoeightnine on Feb 5, 2012 3:22 PM EST up reply actions

Wha??? Other teams score goals?

by Binthet on Feb 5, 2012 5:16 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

The same sabres took one of the best teams in the east to a shootout earlier this week. You’re comments are so dumb. You just need to stop posting and go back to yelling at kids to get off your lawn

"If we needed any more motivation to win a Cup sooner than later, we've got one now," Black said. "I really want to listen to the game that RJ calls when he finally gets to shout out, 'Buffalo wins the Stanley Cup.'"
"Do it or Die Trying."

by FloridaBuffalo on Feb 5, 2012 6:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Someone living in a swamp infested with pythons, ‘gators and lightening strikes is calling me dump. Look at the team’s record and tell me who is dumb.

by Geolover on Feb 6, 2012 12:01 PM EST up reply actions

Which is "dumper"?

I would guess it’s the one who doesn’t proofread his comments before he hits “post”….or who is unaware that the entire state of Florida is not a swamp….or perhaps the person who realizes that we are talking about HOW the team is playing RIGHT NOW, not their records or statistics over the last couple months…

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on Feb 6, 2012 12:23 PM EST up reply actions

This post just further proves how dumb you are. If Florida is all swamps and pythons then Canada is a third world country. Again go stick your head in the sand further you closed minded old man. Hey, I think someone is on your lawn. Go get your stick and scare those whippersnappers

by FloridaBuffalo on Feb 6, 2012 12:45 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

wouldn’t want those kids on the lawn to get struck by “lightening”

by lassathrax on Feb 6, 2012 4:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I'm confused...

Is it a good or bad thing to be the victim of a “lightening strike”? Is it an awesome new diet I’m unaware of where someone lightens themselves in one fast-moving “strike”?

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on Feb 6, 2012 4:42 PM EST up reply actions

"lightening"

Wasn’t that one of the afflictions Michael Jackson suffered from?

I fight with psychological warfare, I made her a Sabres fan…

by VFN FTW on Feb 6, 2012 4:44 PM EST up reply actions

Sounds like you are beginning to learn something about geography, Gatorbait. I’ve lived in those places and I know how much they suck!

by Geolover on Feb 6, 2012 7:24 PM EST up reply actions

The Corsi numbers show just how dominant the Sabres were last night. The Islanders never deserved that lead and Miller really stepped up his game to give his team the chance to fight their way back into it. Wins like that should build confidence and belief in a team.

by Frank Reich Revolution on Feb 5, 2012 3:06 PM EST reply actions