NHL: Sabres up two games on Vanek game-winner

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 on Friday night in Buffalo, N.Y.

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-7 series that shifts to New York for Game 3 on Sunday.

Ryan Miller stopped 31 shots, his best coming with 2 minutes left when he kicked out his left pad and got his glove up to foil Jaromir Jagr, who was set up in the slot.

Paul Mara and Martin Straka scored for the Rangers, who played much better following a 5-2 loss on 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.

Canucks 2, Ducks 1 (2OT): At Anaheim, Calif., Roberto Luongo made 43 saves and Jeff Cowan scored 7:49 into the second overtime to lift Vancouver over Anaheim.

The win evened their Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece.

Cowan scored from a sharp angle with a shot that found a crack of daylight between Jean-Sebastien Giguere’s right skate and the post after Anaheim’s Rob Niedermayer lost the puck behind the net to Vancouver center Trevor Linden.

The teams traded goals in the second period, with Markus Naslund scoring for Vancouver at 6:30 of the period and Travis Moen answering for Anaheim 4:31 later.

Holmstrom, Lebda out

Injured Red Wings forward Tomas Holmstrom and defenseman Brett Lebda will miss Game 2 of their playoff series against the San Jose Sharks.