Toronto, Canada – BUFFALO, New York (Reuters) - The Buffalo Sabres snapped out of a four-game slide with a 2-1 shootout victory over the New Jersey Devils Wednesday.
Sabres netminder Ryan Miller had 39 saves and stopped two shots in the shootout as Buffalo (31-14-7) pulled within a point of the Devils for second place in the Eastern Conference.
Jochen Hecht and Jason Pominville converted two of the Sabres' three attempts in the shootout to clinch the win as Miller ended a three-game shootout losing streak.
Adam Mair put the home team in front with a tip-in at 14:14 in the first period before New Jersey winger Brian Rolston tied the game with his 16th goal of the season at 14:51 in the second.
Both teams were held scoreless through the third and overtime.
Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur finished with 30 saves but fell short in the shootout as the Devils (34-16-2) lost for the sixth time in eight games.
New Jersey's leading scorer Zach Parise was held without a point for the second game in a row and failed to convert his shootout attempt, as did team mate Jamie Langenbrunner.
"We did a good job of creating opportunities, but we didn't finish," said Langenbrunner. "(Miller) bailed them out of a few situations."
The goaltending matchup was a potential preview of next month's Vancouver Olympics where Miller and Brodeur are expected to start for the United States and Canada.
The Sabres' red-hot center Tim Connolly entered the game with a career-high 16-game points streak but failed to extend the mark.
(Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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