Sabres drop second straight to 'Canes

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Sabres played Carolina for the second night in a row, and lost to Carolina for the second night in a row, falling 3-1 Friday night at First Niagara Center.

Once again, Buffalo struggled to find any offense outside the top line. Ryan Miller played well again, with 39 saves, but it was not enough to prevent Buffalo from dropping its second straight game.

Thomas Vanek broke a scoreless tie early in the third period with a power play goal to give the Sabres a 1-0 lead. The goal was Vanek's third of the season, giving him a team-leading nine points in four games.

Carolina answered less than four minutes later when Alexander Semin scored on a power play to tie the game at 1-1.

After losing a draw in their own end, the Sabres gave up what would turn out to be the game-winner - a shot by Jay Harrison from just inside the blue line to hand Carolina its first lead of the night.

Jeff Skinner would add an empty-netter late for the 3-1 final score.

“They’re a good team," said Vanek. "Obviously, they create a lot on the rush and in the zone. Ryan played great for us; [we] could have put it away and we didn’t.”

Buffalo will hit the road Sunday for a 3pm matchup at Washington.