Vanek, Miller lead Sabres to 2-1 win

Thomas Vanek snapped a late third-period tie, and Ryan Miller made 23 saves to help the Buffalo Sabres to a 2-1 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday night.

Clarke MacArthur added a goal and assist for the Sabres, who rebounded from a season-opening overtime loss to Montreal.

Matthew Lombardi scored for the Coyotes, and Jason LaBarbera made 37 saves in the loss.

Phoenix (2-1), embroiled in off-ice controversy since filing for bankruptcy in May and nearly winding up in nearby Hamilton, Ontario, then enduring a coaching change just before the season, lost for the first time and was denied its best start since 2003. The Coyotes return home on Saturday to an uncertain welcome to play their first regular season game in Glendale since entering bankruptcy protection.

Vanek scored from the slot on the power play with 3:53 to go, one-timing MacArthur's pass from underneath the goal line.

After two scoreless periods the Coyotes broke through on Lombardi's power-play goal 2:37 into the third period. Lombardi redirected defenseman Adrian Aucoin's pass from the left point while standing to the left of Miller.

MacArthur tied it 97 seconds later after Sabres rookie defenseman Tyler Myers was able to keep the puck in the Phoenix zone before feeding MacArthur. Myers earned his first career NHL assist on the play, but was shaken up after the pass after taking a hit by Shane Doan. Myers was on the ice for a couple of minutes then left under his own power.

Phoenix forward Petr Prucha was knocked out of the game 32 seconds into the second period after taking a hit from Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta. Martin Hanzal jumped Kaleta and received 19 minutes worth of penalties, leaving Phoenix two players short for most of the period while giving the Sabres a 4-minute power play.

Buffalo peppered LaBarbera with six shots during that stretch, but came up empty.

Miller kept the game scoreless in the second period with 4:42 left, robbing Radim Vrbata with a glove save while on his stomach.

NOTES: Referee Bill McCreary officiated in his 1,600th NHL game. ... Buffalo C Adam Mair missed his second game because of a hip injury, but is close to returning. ... The Sabres were also missing D Toni Lydman (hand). ... Buffalo won both games last season by a 7-1 margin. ... Miller had not allowed a goal to the Coyotes in his seven-year career.