(Sportsbooks) - The skidding
Buffalo Sabres will attempt to halt a three- game losing streak in the opener of a four-game homestand tonight against the
Philadelphia Flyers at HSBC Arena.
Buffalo began the season with four straight wins and victories in six of its first seven games, but has since lost eight of 11. The Sabres last three losses have been by wide margins, as the club has been outscored 18-7 in that span.
The Sabres were handed a 7-4 loss in Boston on Wednesday. Jason Pominville scored in his fourth straight game and added two assists to give him seven points over a five-game point streak (4 goals, 3 assists).
Thomas Vanek added two goals and an assist and has an NHL-leading 15 goals in 18 games this year. He is closing in on Rick Martin's franchise record for fastest to 20 goals, as he reached the mark in 24 games in 1972-73.
Netminder Ryan Miller allowed seven goals on 20 shots and was lifted in the third period in favor of Patrick Lalime, who made three saves the rest of the way. Miller has allowed 11 goals in his last two games, but is 7-3-1 with a 2.78 goals against average in 12 career starts against the Flyers.
Buffalo is expected to play its third straight game without both Tim Connolly (upper body) and Ales Kotalik (hamstring) as it tries to improve on its 5-3-1 mark at home. This four-game homestand, that next sees the New York Islanders come to town on Saturday, is a season long.
The Sabres will try to extend their recent success against the Flyers tonight, as they have won nine of 12 against them since the lockout. That includes victories in four of the six contests played in Buffalo.
They also won't have to face former captain Daniel Briere, who signed with the Flyers prior to last season after spending three-plus seasons with the Sabres. Briere will miss his fourth straight game due to a strained left groin after missing time earlier this year due to abdominal surgery.
Philadelphia has been rolling even without Briere, as it has won two straight and three of its last four (3-0-1). The Flyers picked up their 12th straight win over the Atlanta Thrashers on Sunday with a 4-3 victory.
Simon Gagne had a goal and two assists in the win, giving him three goals and five assists over a five-game points streak. Gagne played in just 25 games a year ago due to concussion issues, but leads the Flyers this year with 22 points (11g, 11a).
Antero Niittymaki improved to 11-0-0 lifetime against Atlanta with a 29-save effort, while Mike Knuble had a goal and an assist. Joffrey Lupul came up with the game-winner in the third period and Kimmo Timonen had a power-play tally.
Former Sabre Martin Biron should return to net for the Flyers, and he is 2-2-1 with a 3.88 GAA in five games against the club that selected him in the first round of the 1995 draft.
The Flyers are 4-2-3 on the road this year and return home to face Phoenix on Saturday.
