Buffalo 3, Nashville 2
When: 8:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 3, 2011
Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Referees:
David Banfield, Kevin Pollock
Linesmen:
Mark Shewchyk, Jean Morin
Attendance:
17113
By SportsDirect Inc.
Ryan Miller made 32 saves in his return to action and Luke Adam recorded a goal and an assist as the Buffalo Sabres downed the host Nashville Predators, 3-2, on Saturday.
Zach Kassian and Tyler Ennis each added goals and Ville Leino recorded a pair of assists for the Sabres, who won for the second time in their last seven games.
Miller had missed the previous nine games after suffering a concussion on a controversial hit from Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic on Nov. 12. Jhonas Enroth struggled in the No. 1 spot, and Buffalo went 3-5-1 in Miller’s absence.
Miller was tested in his first game back, with Nashville agitator Jordin Tootoo careening into him as he cut through the crease. Miller's mask went flying backwards, and he immediately began pummeling the Predators forward with his blocker hand.
Tootoo was given a major penalty for charging and a game misconduct.
The Sabres jumped out early on the Predators, grabbing a goal midway through the first period when Adam beat Anders Lindback. Kassian made it 2-0 with 2:33 left in the period when he beat Nashville defenseman Roman Josi to a loose puck in the neutral zone and skated in unmarked.
Kassian moved the puck from his forehand to the backhand before bringing it back and wristing it past Lindback.
The Predators got one back on Craig Smith’s power-play tally early in the third but Ennis’s first goal turned out to be the game-winner with 4:15 left in the contest.
Top Game Performances
| Buffalo |
|
Nashville |
|
Luke Adam 2 |
Points |
David Legwand 2 |
|
Luke Adam 1 |
Goals |
David Legwand 1 |
|
Ville Leino 2 |
Assists |
David Legwand 1 |
|
N/A |
Power Play Goals |
Craig Smith 1 |
|
N/A |
Short Handed Goals |
N/A |
|
Ryan Miller .941 |
Save Percentage |
Anders Lindback .786 |
|
Ryan Miller 32 |
Saves |
Anders Lindback 11 |
Team Stats Summary
| Team |
Shots |
Goals |
Power Play |
Penalty Kill |
Penalty Mins |
Face Offs Won |
| Buffalo
|
14 |
3 |
0-3 |
2-3 |
22 |
19 |
| Nashville
|
34 |
2 |
1-3 |
3-3 |
21 |
32 |
Upcoming Games
-
Nashville will play their next game at home against Phoenix. The Predators have a W/L % of .385 after a win and .538 after a loss.
-
Buffalo will play their next game at home against Philadelphia. The Sabres have a W/L % of .462 after a win and .615 after a loss.
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