GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- Ryan Miller had all the answers
for the struggling offense of the Phoenix Coyotes.
Miller made 28 saves and the Buffalo Sabres used an offensive
spurt in the second period to post a 2-0 victory over the
Coyotes on Saturday.
Tim Connolly and Daniel Paille each tallied in the middle
session for the Sabres, who continued their six-game road trip
by bouncing back from Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Calgary
Flames.
The 28-year-old Miller turned aside 15 shots in the first, three
in the second and 10 in the third to secure his fourth shutout
of the season and 11th career.
Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 19 shots for Phoenix, which was blanked
for the second straight contest.
The Coyotes' goalless streak ballooned to 146 minutes, 36
seconds thanks to the prowess of Miller.
The former Michigan State standout and 2001 Hobey Baker Award
winner, Miller allowed three third-period goals against Calgary
and had surrendered 12 tallies on 107 shots in losing two of his
last three starts.
He seemingly ended his struggles in this one, though. Miller
shined in his first career start against Phoenix in improving to
8-3-1 in his last 12 road starts.
Connolly gave his netminder all the help he would need 4:21 into
the second by wristing a shot past Bryzgalov from the doorstep
after Thomas Vanek and captain Craig Rivet engaged in a series
of passes.
Paille doubled the lead 4:23 later with a wrist shot from the
low slot, notching his fifth goal of the season.
The Coyotes failed to avoid losing three in a row since dropping
a season-high six straight (0-4-2) from November 15-24.