Sabres Classics: Miller comes up big in Game 2 vs. Ottawa

Following an offensive showcase for both sides in Game 1, the Buffalo Sabres turned to Ryan Miller to win Game 2 of the 2006 Eastern Conference Semifinal against Ottawa.

Miller stopped 43 of 44 shots - including 15 in the third period - to earn a 2-1 victory, sending the Sabres back to Buffalo with a 2-0 series lead. You can watch the performance at 8 p.m. on MSG as the latest installment in "Sabres Classics."

"It was a huge night for Ryan Miller," Sabres co-captain Chris Drury told the media afterward. "We hung in there at the end. It felt like we were in our zone the whole third period, but we battled, and we got an important win."

J-P Dumont and Jochen Hecht scored goals for the Sabres, who managed just 17 shots against Senators goalie Ray Emery.

The win did not come without a cost. Tim Connolly had been a hero in Game 1, scoring a highlight-reel goal in the second period and then tying the game the contest with 11 seconds in regulation. His 11 playoff points entering Game 2 led the Sabres.

His playoffs came to an end in the first minute of the contest following an open-ice hit from Ottawa's Peter Schafer. Connolly had already missed the entire 2003-04 season due to a concussion. This one would keep him out of the lineup for 11 months.

"I definitely feel, myself personally, that was kind of the best hockey I was playing both offensively and defensively," Connolly said. "It's unfortunate what happened, but the team went on to make a really solid run."