NHL: Miller helps Sabres stave off elimination

Ryan Miller wasn’t going to let anything end the Buffalo Sabres’ season – not a cheap bounce or Joe Corvo’s snap shot from the slot.

He stopped 31 shots, including 15 in the third period, to preserve Buffalo’s 3-2 win Wednesday night at Ottawa and prevent the Ottawa Senators from sweeping the Eastern Conference finals.

“When things weren’t going our way at the end of the second period, we could’ve packed it in there, and said, ‘Ah, you know it’s too tough,’ ” Miller said. “But we battled through some tough situations.”

The Sabres survived after nearly squandering a 3-0 lead, and forced Game 5 of the best-of-7 series, which will be played at Buffalo on Saturday.

Chris Drury and Derek Roy – who scored 9 seconds in – had a goal and assist each, and Maxim Afinogenov also scored for Buffalo, giving the Presidents’ Trophy winners their third win in eight games.

Notes

Anaheim defenseman Chris Pronger was suspended for one game by the NHL for his hit on Detroit’s Tomas Holmstrom on Tuesday night. Pronger, a former Norris Trophy winner and a finalist for the award this year, will miss Game 4 of the Ducks-Red Wings series tonight in Anaheim. … First-round draft pick Jonathan Toews signed a three-year, entry level contract with Chicago. … Washington agreed to terms with Nicklas Backstrom, the No. 4 overall pick in last year’s draft. … Columbus traded defenseman Adam McQuaid to Boston for a fifth-round pick in next month’s NHL draft.