Red Wings at Sabres
THE STORY: The Detroit Red Wings have to be the streakiest team in the NHL this season, equally capable of ripping off a six-game winning streak or a six-game skid. Right now, the Red Wings happen to be enjoying one of their positive swings. Detroit pushed its winning streak to six on Wednesday with a 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. All told, the Red Wings are averaging an even four goals per contest over the string. Pavel Datsyuk has picked it up as the rest of the offense has taken off. Attempting to stop that train on Friday will be the host Buffalo Sabres, who have dropped four of their last five. Ryan Miller is back at practice and appears to be close to returning to game action. While backup Jhonas Enroth’s play has started to slip, the Sabres' offense has not been doing the team any favors.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NHL Network, FSD (Detroit), MSGB (Buffalo)
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (15-7-1): Datsyuk has totaled 10 points in the last six games after recording 11 in the previous 17 contests. The star left wing had his fourth multi-point game in that stretch with a goal and an assist in Wednesday’s win over Tampa Bay. Datsyuk's effort came in front of former Detroit star Steve Yzerman, who was back in Detroit for the first time since taking over as general manager of the Lightning. Goalie Jimmy Howard has been the anchor on the other end, going 10-2-0 in his last 12 starts.
ABOUT THE SABRES (13-10-1): Miller, who has been out since sustaining a concussion on Nov. 12, returned to practice on Wednesday. Buffalo could use the boost, as it has struggled to a 3-4-1 mark with Miller out of the lineup. The Sabres were missing seven regulars in a 2-1 loss to the Eastern Conference-worst New York Islanders on Tuesday and lost defenseman Jordan Leopold to an upper-body injury in the first period.
OVERTIME:
1. Datsyuk became just the second player in the NHL this season to record two points in a game while also winning 20 faceoffs. Columbus’ Jeff Carter was the first.
2. Howard has only appeared in two games against Buffalo, allowing a total of three goals in 88 minutes.
3. The Red Wings have taken five of the last six meetings.