The Buffalo Sabres won their first game against the Ottawa Senators since last year's playoff elimination, scoring three first-period goals on the way to a 4-2 victory.

Derek Roy and Drew Stafford had a goal and an assist each for the Sabres, who were eliminated by Ottawa in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Sabres (8-10-1) have struggled since, losing leading scorers Chris Drury and Daniel Briere in the off-season and slipping to last place in the Northeast Division.

The win was Buffalo's second straight, however, following a three-game losing streak, as they handed the NHL-leading Senators (16-4-0-0) their second loss in three games.

"We've got two in a row now and we have to keep this rolling," Roy said.

The Sabres scored 1:26 into the game through Michael Ryan's first goal of the season and Ales Kotalik and Roy gave them a 3-0 lead by the end of the first period.

"It was a good start for us," Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller said. "We were hungry."

The Senators rallied in the second period on goals by Daniel Alfredsson and Dany Heatley, but Stafford's goal at 17:24 of the second period gave the Sabres breathing space.

Miller made 27 saves for the Sabres in his seventh consecutive start and Ray Emery came up with 27 saves for the Senators.

Thomas Vanek added two assists for the Sabres, who are 14th in the Eastern Conference with half as many points as the Senators.

"It doesn't matter how these teams are playing at the time, there are always intense games between us and the Sabres," Ottawa coach John Paddock said.

The Dallas Stars ended the Stanley Cup championship-winning Anaheim Ducks' four-game winning streak with a 2-1 victory. Mike Modano added to his scoring record for US - born players with his 513th career goal after being honoured before the game.

The New York Islanders run of seven consecutive one-goal decisions was snapped in a 4-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens in Uniondale. Steve Begin scored twice for Montreal.

Daniel Briere scored three goals in the third period and added an assist as the Philadelphia Flyers snapped a two-game losing streak with a 6-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Detroit Red Wings allowed just 12 shots on goal in a 3-0 win over the St Louis Blues. Chris Osgood recorded his 44th career shutout.

Zach Parise scored twice to help Martin Brodeur pick up his 501st career win as the New Jersey Devils edged the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1.

Reuters