East Rutherford, N.J. – John Madden figured the breaks evened out for the New Jersey Devils. Don’t tell that to Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller.
Madden, Jamie Langenbrunner and Zach Parise scored in a 2:31 span early in the third period to lead the Devils to a 3-2 victory Saturday night, pulling New Jersey to within four points of Buffalo for the best record in the Eastern Conference.
While the Devils celebrated their seventh win in 10 games, Miller fumed in the Sabres’ locker room.
For almost 15 minutes after the game, he sat with his pads on and discussed Madden’s tying goal.
“Insert expletive in front of whatever I say and that’s what I think of the call,” said Miller, who made 34 saves and seemingly was going to make Chris Drury’s first-period goal stand.
It all fell apart in the third period on a play that Miller felt should have been blown dead.
Miller made a save on a shot from the left point by Colin White and he seemed to have his glove over the puck. Madden continued pushing Miller’s glove and he eventually knocked the puck into the net.
“I felt like I had possession and he played me and not the puck,” Miller said.
“It was clearly covered and obvious he had it in his glove,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “It’s obvious the whistle should have went on the play.”
Drury’s goal was his 30th, tying his personal single-season mark set last year.
