NEWARK, N.J. — Ryan Miller's dedication to hockey extended from coast to coast when

he achieved Olympic stardom. The Buffalo Sabres' goaltender was everywhere. He chatted

nationally with "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest while in Vancouver. After the Sabres played

in New York, Miller stayed behind for a daylong media tour that included appearances on "The

Today Show" and VH1, and interviews with the Wall Street Journal and Forbes, among others.

"It's important for hockey," Miller said when the media attention was at its highest.

"People are interested. We have a great sport. That's what gets them excited and gets them

involved, and they want to watch and pay attention and play hockey. I think I have to do what

I can."

His willingness to alter his lifestyle and open his private life to benefit his sport has

been recognized. The Buffalo chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association has named

Miller as the Sabres' nominee for the 2010 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

The Masterton is awarded each year to the NHL player who "best exemplifies the qualities of

perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey." Each chapter of the writers'

association nominates a player, then the members vote for one winner from the 30 candidates.

Voting will close on April 21.

Two Sabres have won the award. Don Luce was the recipient in 1975, and Pat LaFontaine won

in 1995. The activities that earned Miller this year's nomination were worth the effort, he

said.

"It's more about capitalizing on an opportunity where people were paying attention to me on

different levels," Miller said this weekend. "It's a chance to help hockey, and definitely the

league, transfer from Olympics to the NHL level.

"Hopefully, it sparks some interest. That's kind of my thinking behind it because if you

grow the fan base, it's only going to help us as a sport and a culture. We want little kids

playing the game."

Miller's off-ice contributions also include the Steadfast Foundation, which he founded in

2006 and is dedicated to assisting people afflicted and affected by cancer, especially

childhood forms of the disease. xleg

. . .

Three Sabres who suited up for Sunday's 2-1 loss in New Jersey — Tyler Myers, Jason Pominville and Henrik Tallinder — made it from Game One to Game 82 without missing an outing. Myers played the full schedule in his rookie season,

while Tallinder completed the trick for the second time in career (2005-06).

Pominville's uninterrupted service was no surprise. The right winger has played every game

for four straight seasons and skated in his 333rd consecutive game Sunday.

Miller, who took Sunday off, set the franchise record and established a personal best with

41 victories after beating Ottawa on Saturday. He was 41-18-8, topping the win total of his

40-16-6 season in 2006-07.

Derek Roy led the Sabres in points for the third straight season. He finished with 69,

scoring 26 times and adding 43 assists. He had 81 points in 2007-08 and 70 last season.

Thomas Vanek was the team's leading goal scorer for the fourth consecutive year. He had 28

goals, scoring five times in the final two games to jump past Roy. Center Tim Connolly led the

Sabres with 48 assists. Captain Craig Rivet paced the penalty parade, earning 100 minutes in

the box.

Myers led the defensemen in goals (11), assists (37) and points (48).

. . .

The Sabres welcomed Patrick Kaleta back to the lineup Sunday. The right winger underwent surgery on his right hand March 29 and missed eight games. He skated 7:57 and earned a roughing penalty in the third period.

"I wanted to be ready for playoffs," Kaleta said. "I want to play in playoffs. I don't want

to sit and watch. I want to be a part of it. I have to be ready."

Kaleta had been progressing rapidly and excelled in extra shooting and stickhandling work

last week. He is still wearing a hard cast.

"It takes a little while to get used to," he said. "I thought [Sunday] I'd just try to keep

it simple as much as possible."

Kaleta was ready for action anyway, but he was pressed into service after right wing Drew

Stafford suffered a concussion in Saturday's 5-2 victory in Ottawa. Stafford said Sunday he

felt OK but would see doctors today in Buffalo.