• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Penguins, Crosby try to extend respective streaks against Sabres

Dec 11, 2010 - 3:48 PM (Sports Network) - Few teams have been able to hold the Penguins offense in check during the club's 11-game winning streak. The Sabres may have come the closest.

Pittsburgh tries to move one step closer to the longest win streak in club history this evening when it visits Buffalo and HSBC Arena for the second time in less than three weeks.

The Pens have averaged 3.5 goals-per-game over the second-longest win streak in club history, six shy of their NHL-record 17-game run set during 1992-93, but were held to just a single goal versus the Sabres on Nov. 24. However, it was enough in a 1-0 victory thanks to Marc-Andre Fleury's first shutout of the season.

Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby assisted on Pascal Dupuis' goal in that game, part of his 17-game point streak that has featured 20 goals and 15 assists. Crosby leads the NHL with 26 goals and 50 points.

Sabres goaltender and reigning Vezina Trophy winner Ryan Miller missed that meeting with a groin injury, but figures to get the call tonight. Miller is 4-6-3 with a 3.22 goals-against average in his career versus the Penguins, while Crosby has 10 goals and 14 assists in 19 games when facing the Sabres.

"I think we practice a lot of things that apply to every goalie, and I think it's important not to have to change or adjust too much," Crosby told Pittsburgh's website. "We know [Miller's] good. If anything, that should make us focus more on getting pucks and traffic to the net and making sure we execute well when we get a chance."

Crosby, who is two games shy of the longest point streak of his career, scored twice in Pittsburgh's most recent victory, a 5-2 triumph over Toronto on Wednesday, giving him eight goals in the Pens' last four games. Mark Letestu also scored twice, while Chris Kunitz had three assists.

Fleury had to make 23 stops to earn the victory, his 10th in a row. He is 7-3-2 with a 2.78 GAA in his career versus Buffalo.

The Penguins have not lost in regulation since Nov. 10, going 13-0-1 in their last 14 games. They have won their last three without forward Evgeni Malkin, who is questionable with a knee injury. Pittsburgh has also won six straight on the road and is 10-3-1 as the guest this season.

The Penguins' win earlier this year versus the Sabres was their third straight and 10th in their last 13 meetings with the club. Pittsburgh has also won six of its last eight in western New York.

Buffalo has won four of its last six overall and picked up its third straight home victory in Thursday's 6-3 triumph over San Jose. Paul Gaustad, Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville built the Sabres a 3-0 lead and both Gaustad and Vanek ended with two goals.

"We started a little slow. There was a little bit of pause in our game," said Buffalo head coach Lindy Ruff. "But I thought when we really started to ramp up ... and get guys driving ahead of people, I thought we did a nice job."

Cody McCormick ended with a goal and two helpers, Gaustad had an assist and Miller made 26 saves in the victory.

Buffalo won the opener of a three-game homestand and is 6-8-1 as the host this season.