Lightning at Sabres
THE STORY: Whether Lindy Ruff has been on the bench or in the coach's box, the Buffalo Sabres keep winning. Ruff, who suffered three broken ribs in a freak accident in practice, has watched the Sabres go 5-0-1 to pull within striking distance in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Tampa Bay Lightning, who have beaten the Sabres in both meetings this season, are also in the race if their star-studded offense continues to produce. The teams will meet in western New York on Saturday.
TV: 7 p.m. ET; SunSports (Tampa), WGRZ and MSG-B (Buffalo).
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (23-24-6): Tampa Bay fell in overtime to the New York Rangers Thursday, just their second defeat in 17 games after holding a lead going into the third period. The Lightning dropped to 6-1-2 in their last nine with a tough back-to-back against the Sabres and Pittsburgh to end a three-game trip. Tampa Bay has averaged 3.23 goals per game in the last 13 contest, led by its big three. Steven Stamkos has recorded 20 goals in 24 games, Vincent Lecavalier has collected 23 points in 20 contests and Martin St. Louis has 17 points in 11 games. The Lightning could get power forward Ryan Malone back from injury.
ABOUT THE SABRES (24-24-6): Ryan Miller has been in net as the Sabres have earned a point in six straight, allowing just seven goals with a .962 save percentage. Miller has played eight straight, allowing Buffalo a chance to win them all. The Sabres got second-leading scorer Thomas Vanek back from an injury Friday and he scored a goal. Captain Jason Pominville, who assisted on Vanek’s goal, leads the Sabres with 51 points. Ville Leino has picked it up of late with five points in seven games. Forward Cody McCormick suffered an upper-body injury Friday in the second period and did not return.
OVERTIME:
1. The Lightning have just nine power-play goals in 95 chances on the road, including two in their last 32.
2. Buffalo has not lost in regulation at home since Dec. 10.
3. Stamkos has the best shooting percentage (19.3) in the NHL for those with more than 117 shots.