SABRES 3, CANADIENS 0: Cody Hodgson scored his first two goals with his new team and Ryan Miller turned aside all 34 shots he faced as Buffalo pulled into a tie for eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

Captain Jason Pominville netted his team-leading 28th goal and Derek Roy notched a pair of assists for the Sabres, who have won eight of their last nine versus Montreal and improved to 11-2-3 in their last 16 games overall. Buffalo's 80 points are level with idle Washington, which has played one less game.

Miller preserved his sixth shutout this season and 28th career by stopping all 12 shots in the third period.

Playing in his 12th game with the Sabres, Hodgson opened the scoring 6:15 into the first period after his sharp-angle shot caromed off All-Star Carey Price and into the net.

Pominville doubled the advantage 2:31 into the second period after accepting Roy's brilliant backhanded feed before wristing the puck past Price. The tally was Pominville's fifth in eight games.

Price finished with 28 saves for the Canadiens, who fell to 1-1-3 in their last five games.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Sabres acquired Hodgson from the Vancouver Canucks for rugged wing Zach Kassian at the NHL's trade deadline on Feb. 27. ... Buffalo won five of the six meetings with its Northeast Division rival. ... Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers returned following his three-game suspension for blasting Montreal's Scott Gomez from behind on March 12. Gomez suffered a concussion and hasn't played since.