Sabres show ability to respond

There might be something to this whole "don't lose two games in a row" thing. During the Buffalo Sabres' previous two seasons, the motto rang hollow. They couldn't stop losing streaks from happening. Judging by their lack of conviction when invoking the catchphrase, it sounded like they knew it. This season is different. They seem to sincerely believe they can win every night if they play their game. So far, some of their best games have come after losses. The Sabres responded to a 5-0 shutout against the New York Islanders with a shutout of their own. Ryan Miller made 24 saves and Derek Roy scored his first goal of the season to help Buffalo to a 3-0 victory over New York. "That's what we're looking for," Miller said. "I'm happy with the effort from the guys, for sure. I thought it was really nice, especially after a loss. We just kind of put that behind us and go out and start working on the system again." The Sabres , who improved to 9-2-1, have yet to drop two games in a row. They lost in overtime in the opener, then rattled off a four-game winning streak. After dropping a 4-2 decision to Atlanta, they crushed Florida, 5-2, to start another four-game run. They are on their way to another streak after throttling the Islanders for 40 minutes and holding off a third-period challenge. "We have the personnel in here to do so," Roy said. "That was our motto at the start of the year. It seems like right off the bat [after a loss], we come out strong." There had been hand-wringing over Roy's failure to find the net during the first 11 games. There were 17,626 hands clapping in HSBC Arena when he scored early in the 12th. The Sabres needed just six seconds of power-play time to take the 1-0 lead midway through the first period. Roy was tossed from the faceoff circle, but Clarke MacArthur stepped in and won the draw. Defenseman Craig Rivet quickly moved the puck to Roy, and Islanders goaltender Martin Biron saw only the back of Thomas Vanek and not the puck. Roy unleashed a windmill fist pump after ripping a high shot just inside the post. "I think it was trying to throw the monkey off the back," Roy said. "Thomas did a great job, give him credit." The Sabres controlled play throughout the second period, but they were wide on several chances early. The power play allowed them to take a 2-0 lead late. Drew Stafford slid a no-look pass through the crease to Vanek, and the sniper missed. But Islanders forward Sean Bergenheim crashed the crease in an attempt to defend, and he knocked the puck off Biron's pad. Vanek didn't miss his second chance, burying the rebound with 2:47 to go. The Sabres entered the game ranked 20th with the man advantage, but they have power-play goals in nine of their 12 contests. The Islanders came out determined in the third. They took the first six shots through six minutes, but Miller was up to the challenge. Paul Gaustad put the Islanders away by scoring with 3:41 to play. "They have the kind of team that's going to create," Miller said. "We just played a really nice game. . . . They couldn't get a consistent attack going, which I think is why we ended up winning that game." e-mail: jvogl@buffnews.com *** Sabres 3, Islanders 0 Slap shots: Sabres prevent a losing streak, earn revenge for Saturday's 5-0 loss to Islanders. ... Miller makes 24 saves for his 14th career shutout and second of season. ... Roy scores first goal of season. Fast fact: Sabres' power play scores twice, giving it goals in nine of 12 games. Next: vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 7:30 p.m. Friday in HSBC Arena.