Sabres at Devils
THE STORY: The All-Star break can’t come soon enough for the
Buffalo Sabres. Pitted near the bottom of the NHL standings, the Sabres
could use some time off to regroup. But first they’ll try to earn a rare
road victory when the Sabres travel to face the New Jersey Devils on
Tuesday. Buffalo has lost a franchise-record 12 straight road games. "We
just have to get some confidence back," goaltender Ryan Miller said. "I
think that's the big thing. No matter how good we play, you're almost
waiting for the other shoe to drop. Hockey is mistakes and bounces. They
go your way too. You just have to put the work in."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG Buffalo, MSG Plus (New Jersey)
ABOUT THE SABRES (19-24-5):
All 12 of the Sabres’ road setbacks during the streak have come in
regulation, with the team being outscored 50-17 in that span. Tuesday’s
game will be their sixth in a row away from home. Miller has struggled
mightily during the skid, going 0-9-0 with a 3.88 goals against average
while starting 10 of the games. A lack of production from Buffalo’s top
player hasn’t helped the cause either. Thomas Vanek, who owns a
team-best 19 goals, has not scored in a season-high eight games.
ABOUT THE DEVILS (26-19-2):
Since winning five of six, the Devils have stumbled in dropping
consecutive contests, 4-1 each to Boston and Philadelphia. New Jersey
will try to win its third straight this season against the Sabres behind
Martin Brodeur. The netminder is 9-2-2 with a 1.49 goals against
average and two shutouts in his previous 13 starts against Buffalo. The
Devils will be hard to beat on the power play as they rank second in the
league killing off 89.2 percent of man-advantage opportunities.
OVERTIME:
1. Miller, the 2009-10 Vezina Trophy winner, has a 5.02 goals against average in his past three starts.
2. Vanek doesn't have a point in the team’s last six road games.
3. Devils forward Alexei Ponikarovsky scored in his club debut Saturday, a day after being acquired from Florida.