BUFFALO, N.Y., March 30 (UPI) -- Chris Drury had two goals and one assist Friday night to help the Buffalo Sabres beat the New York Islanders, 6-4.
Drury scored both of his goals in a five-goal first period explosion as the Islanders built a 5-1 lead. The other Buffalo goals were scored by Derek Roy, Thomas Vanek and Drew Stafford, who also had one assist.
Jason Pominville had a caree-high three assists, and Ryan Miller made 25 saves on 29 shots for the Eastern Conference-leading Sabres, who have won four of their last five games.
Buffalo already has clinched a playoff spot, but because of Ottawa's 5-2 win over Montreal Friday night, it was unable to clinch the Northeast Division.
Viktor Kozlov scored twice, Jason Blake scored once, Tom Poti had a goal and an assist, and Mike Dunham and Wade Dubielewicz combined to allow six goals on 30 shots for the Islanders, who are two points behind Montreal for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.
