Thomas Vanek, Daniel Briere, and Adam Mair all scored second-period goals to the lead the Buffalo Sabres to a narrow 3-2 win over the New York Islanders on Monday night.
The Sabres now lead the series 2-1.
Trent Hunter and Ryan Smyth responded for the Islanders, who came up short before a sellout crowd that included NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
Isles goalie Rick DiPietro started at home for the first time in three weeks and played well, making 32 saves on the night.
But
Buffalo
's re-awakened offence proved too potent.
Game 4 of the best-of-seven series is slated for
Long Island
on Wednesday while Game 5 heads back to
Buffalo
on Friday.
Ryan Miller made 20 saves in his second career playoff victory.
In other action,
Tampa
Bay
beat
New Jersey
3-2, while the Sharks mauled the Predators 3-1 in San Jose. Both teams took 2-1 leads in their series.