RALEIGH, N.C. -- The pace was as fast as advertised, with each team having its share of rushes and scoring chances. Daniel Briere converted one after some nifty passing to give the Buffalo Sabres the early edge in the Eastern Conference final.

Briere's fifth goal of the playoffs put Buffalo in front for good, rookie Ryan Miller made 29 saves, and the Sabres held off the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 Saturday in the opener of the best-of-seven series.

Henrik Tallinder and Jay McKee also scored for Buffalo, which improved to 5-2 on the road in the postseason in front of a small but boisterous group of its own fans. Game 2 is Monday at the RBC Center.

Mike Commodore scored a short-handed goal with about 2 minutes left to bring Carolina within 3-2, but Buffalo survived even after the Hurricanes pulled goalie Cam Ward for the extra skater.