Sabres 5, Canucks 3
SABRES 5, CANUCKS 3: Ville Leino scored twice in the first 3:44 of the game and Brad Boyes added a goal and an assist as Buffalo topped league-leading Vancouver to improve to 3-0-1 on its five-game road trip.
Former Canucks defenseman Christian Ehrhoff and Tyler Ennis also tallied, Patrick Kaleta notched two assists and Ryan Miller made 32 saves for the Sabres, who have earned at least one point in eight straight contests (6-0-2).
Buffalo took control early, scoring three times in the opening 5:10 of the first period.
Leino beat Roberto Luongo with a one-timer from the top of the left faceoff circle 55 seconds into the contest and doubled the lead 2:49 later by burying a rebound on the doorstep. Boyes made it 3-0 with a shot from the right hash marks that rang off the right post before ricocheting in and out of the net.
The on-ice officials didn't recognize the goal, allowing play to continue for more than two minutes before the next whistle. But after video review, Boyes was awarded his second tally in three games and Luongo was replaced by Cory Schneider after making just four saves.
David Booth halted Miller's shutout streak late in the second period, scoring the first goal against the former Vezina Trophy winner in 155 minutes, 37 seconds.
Ehrhoff restored the Sabres' three-goal lead with a blast from the left point just over 2 1/2 minutes into the third that caromed off Vancouver defenseman Aaron Rome's skate and past Schneider. Booth and former Sabre Zack Kassian got the Canucks within one, but Ennis' empty-netter with 63 seconds remaining sealed the win.
Kassian added an assist and Schneider stopped 16 shots for the Canucks, who lost in regulation for just the second time in 20 contests (13-2-5).
GAME NOTEBOOK: Leino's first goal ended a 14-game drought. The two-goal performance was his first since March 29 with Philadelphia. ... Boyes scored just three times in his first 47 contests this season. ... Booth's two-goal effort was his first since Oct. 16, 2010 with Florida. ... Miller came within 5:59 of breaking the longest shutout streak of his career. ... Buffalo was 0-5-1 in its previous six visits to Vancouver. ... The Canucks fell to 7-1-2 in their last 10 games at Rogers Arena and 1-1-0 on their seven-game homestand.