BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Ryan Miller received a warm welcome in his return to Buffalo -- that is, until it was spoiled by Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen.

The young defenseman scored two goals -- including the game-winner with 16.8 seconds remaining -- to lead the Sabres to a 3-2 win over Miller's Vancouver Canucks Saturday afternoon.

"He's a great goalie and his first game back here; it's good we got those points on him," Ristolainen said.

With a screen in front of the Vancouver net, there was little Miller could do on the winning goal. It came after a terrific effort by Sabres center Tyler Ennis. Ennis maneuvered his way past several Canucks up ice before finding right winger Marcus Foligno in front of the Vancouver net. Foligno then fed Ristolainen, who unleashed a long wrist shot.

It punctuated the end of another terrific game for the 21-year-old defenseman. Paired with fellow defenseman Josh Gorges against other teams' top lines, the former first-round pick has thrived in the defensive zone and been Buffalo's best defenseman this season.

"He's got an unbelievable shot," Foligno said. "Sometimes in practice it doesn't stay low, but it's a cannon. He's got a heavy, heavy shot and one of the most underrated shots in the NHL. He's so young so it's going to get better and better."

Left winger Jamie McGinn also scored for the Sabres (6-8-0).

Playing in his first game in Buffalo against his former team, Miller received a warm welcome from the Buffalo crowd and was given a standing ovation during a tribute video during a break in the first period. The Sabres' all-time goaltending leader in games played (540) and wins (284) held his stick high in the air in appreciation and clapped in response.

There was little he could do on either of Ristolainen's goals with bodies stationed in front of the Canucks net. Miller finished with 19 saves.

"It was a big part of my life, and it was nice to come back here," Miller said. "Would have been nice to have a better ending, but that's how it goes."

Center Henrik Sedin and left winger Chris Higgins scored for the Canucks (6-4-4), who outshot Buffalo 37-22.

"(Miller) deserved better," Canucks coach Willie Desjardins said. "He's played good for us all year and he made a couple big saves for us again."

Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark rebounded after being pulled in Thursday night's loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning and made 35 saves.

"I was hoping that he wouldn't go the other way," Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said. "That's why we put him back in there. I thought today he made some tremendous saves. Probably the best player on the ice for us."

After a poor first period for the Sabres -- they were outshot 15-4 -- Buffalo rebounded in the second period to grab a 2-0 lead before the Canucks climbed their way back.

McGinn opened the scoring 2:18 into the second period following a terrific slap pass by defenseman Mark Pysyk. Pysyk found McGinn to the left of the goal and the forward redirected the puck for his third goal of the year.

McGinn was a factor in Buffalo's second goal six minutes later, providing a screen in front of Miller. The screen allowed Ristolainen to unleash a blast from the point for a power-play goal at 8:10.

Henrik Sedin got the Canucks on the board with 6:27 remaining in the second. Brother Daniel Sedin, a left winger, found Henrik Sedin inside the left circle and the Canucks captain put home his third goal of the year.

Higgins tied the game midway through the third period on a one-man effort. The left winger maneuvered his way past two Sabres before cutting inside from the right and placing a shot through Ullmark's legs.

"I liked the first period," Desjardins said. "I thought we moved the puck pretty well. But I think there are areas to improve as well. You have to find ways to win."

NOTES: D Carlo Colaiacovo (upper body) and C Tim Schaller were scratched for the Sabres. Buffalo remains without D Zach Bogosian (lower body), G Robin Lehner (high ankle sprain) and LW Evander Kane (knee). Bogosian has yet to play this season. ... RW Adam Cracknell was scratched for the Canucks. ... This was the first of two meetings between the Sabres and Canucks. The teams meet again on Dec. 7 in Vancouver. They split their two-game series last season. ... This was the first of 11 afternoon games for the Sabres. The next one will be a home game on Dec. 19 against Chicago at 1 p.m.