NHL PLAYOFFS Sabres rally for 3-2 win; take 2-0 lead on Rangers

Thomas Vanek scored his second straight game-winner for Buffalo.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- This time the Buffalo Sabres showed they can win by coming from behind.
Thomas Vanek scored his second consecutive game-winner, capping a two-goal third period in Buffalo's 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series Friday night.
Brian Campbell had a goal and assist and Chris Drury also scored for the Sabres, who twice rallied from one-goal deficits and grabbed a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series that shifts to New York for Game 3 on Sunday.
Ryan Miller stopped 31 shots, his best coming with two minutes remaining when he kicked out his left pad and got his glove up to foil Jaromir Jagr, who was set up in the slot.
Rangers' goals
Paul Mara and Martin Straka scored for the Rangers, who played much better following a 5-2 loss Wednesday, but still couldn't contain the Sabres' depth and offense when it counted.
Drury tied the game at 2, deflecting in Toni Lydman's shot from the blue line 24 seconds into the third.
Vanek scored 10 minutes later during a scramble in front, set up by Drew Stafford, who blindly chipped the puck into the slot. With a step on Mara, Vanek got to the loose puck and flipped it over Henrik Lundqvist.
It was Vanek's fifth goal of the playoffs, and third in two games.
Miller stopped all 11 shots he faced in the third period and the Sabres held off the Rangers, who failed to capitalize on a power-play in the final two minutes.
The Rangers outshot the Sabres 33-18 overall and 22-9 through two periods. It was a considerable improvement after they allowed 37 shots in Game 1, and watched the Sabres score three times on four shots during a 4-minute span in the second period.
And the Rangers, who went 2-for-5 in power-play chances, appeared to take the momentum when Mara's snap shot from the left point sneaked in past Ryan Miller to put New York up 2-1 with 80 seconds left in the second period.
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