Pittsburgh (17-11-4) at Buffalo (16-13-4), 7:00 p.m. EST
BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) -- The struggles of the Pittsburgh
Penguins and Sidney Crosby have become synonymous.
Mired in a month-long slump, the floundering Penguins and their
captain hope to turn their fortunes around when they visit the
Buffalo Sabres on Monday.
Pittsburgh has gone 3-5-1 in December, and Crosby has not
tallied since recording a hat trick in a 4-1 win over the New
Jersey Devils on November 29.
His current nine-game drought is the longest of his career.
Crosby, who eclipsed Jaromir Jagr's record for most votes ever
received by one player in one season in the history of NHL
All-Star Game fan balloting, has 12 assists in that span,
though.
Pittsburgh is coming off a 7-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs
on Saturday.
Buffalo has alternated wins and losses for the last five
contests after posting a three-game winning streak.
Despite their mediocre stretch, the Sabres have been sparked by
the play of goaltender Ryan Miller.
The former Michigan State standout and 2001 Hobey Baker Award
winner posted a 40-save shutout in a 5-0 win over the Los
Angeles Kings on Friday and turned aside 42 shots in a 4-3
overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens the following evening.
Center Derek Roy is enjoying a nine-game points streak - the
longest of any Sabres player this season.