Tampa Bay (6-13-8) at Buffalo (13-11-3) 7:00
BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) -- The Tampa Bay Lightning continue
to be the doormat of the NHL.
The Lightning try to end an eight-game losing streak on
Wednesday when they visit the Buffalo Sabres.
Captain Vincent Lecavalier and Adam Hall scored and rookie Paul
Szczechura netted his first career NHL goal for Tampa Bay, but
it was not enough as it fell to 0-6-2 in its last eight games
during a 5-3 loss to the Boston Bruins on Monday.
The Lightning are 0-5-2 in their last seven road games after
opening a four-game swing with Monday's loss. Tampa Bay plays
six of its next seven contests on the road, and will be without
Radim Vrbata.
The free-agent right wing, who was signed to a three-year, $9
million contract in the offseason, Vrbata appears to be heading
to his native Czech Republic to finish the season, according to
a report by TSN of Canada on Monday.
After recording 27 goals and 29 assists with the Phoenix Coyotes
last season, the 27-year-old Vrbata has three tallies this
season.
The Sabres picked up their second straight win on Monday as
Thomas Vanek registered his NHL-leading 20th goal in the third
period and Ryan Miller made 29 saves en route to a 4-3 win over
the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The winning streak comes on the heels of an inconsistent stretch
for Buffalo, which had lost three straight games in regulation
before forging back-to-back victories. The Sabres also claimed
consecutive wins on November 26 and 28 following five regulation
setbacks in a row.