Buffalo (24-17-5) at Tampa Bay (15-21-10), 7:30 p.m. EST
TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- At this point, the Buffalo Sabres do
not want the All-Star break to come.
Seeking their fourth straight victory, goaltender Ryan Miller
and the Sabres continue their trek when they visit the Tampa Bay
Lightning on Wednesday.
After a stellar effort in a 3-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes
on Saturday, Miller stopped 27 shots en route to beating the
Florida Panthers, 3-2, in a shootout on Monday.
Ales Kotalik and Derek Roy tallied in the bonus format and
Thomas Vanek and Tim Connolly scored in regulation for the
Sabres, who have won seven of nine.
The Sabres have played in eight consecutive games decided by two
goals or less, and their success this month can be attributed to
the elevated play of Miller. The former Michigan State standout
and 2001 Hobey Baker Award winner has surrendered three goals or
less in six of those games.
Miller is 22-11-4 with a 2.48 goals-against average in 38 games
this season.
Tampa Bay has won five of its last eight, and bounced back from
a loss to the Florida Panthers on Saturday with a 4-2 victory
over the Dallas Stars two night later.
Captain Vincent Lecavalier, the subject of many trade rumors,
has scored in three straight games. He has also recorded seven
goals and 14 points over the last 10 contests.