NHL: Buffalo 4, Tampa Bay 1

TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Thomas Vanek scored the first of four Buffalo goals and Ryan Miller made 30 saves as the Sabres downed Tampa Bay, 4-1, at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Henrik Tallinder contributed a goal and an assist for the Sabres, who have won eight of their last nine games. Chris Drury and Ales Kotalik also scored for the Sabres.

Vaclav Prospal scored the lone goal for the Lightning, who have now lost four games in a row. John Grahame stopped 27-of-30 shots he faced as Tampa Bay played without star center Vincent Lecavalier, who missed the game after being suspended for a high-stick incident in the Lightning's 4-2 loss to the New York Rangers Thursday.