NHL: Buffalo 5, N.Y. Islanders 3

BUFFALO, N.Y., Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Jason Pominville equaled a career high with three assists Wednesday in helping Buffalo down the New York Islanders 5-3.

Ales Kotalik had a goal and an assist ,while Ryan Miller made 28 saves, boosting the Sabres to their second win in three games.

Rick DiPietro faced 41 shots in what was the Islanders' sixth loss in seven games.

Buffalo owned a two-goal lead going into the final period before the Islanders' Mike Sillinger lobbed a seemingly harmless shot toward the goal. The puck somehow slipped past Miller on the short side.

Buffalo, however, retained its two-goal cushion when Jochen Hecht scored on a backhander at 8:14 of the third.