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Sabres begin new ownership era versus Thrashers

Feb 23, 2011 - 3:52 PM (Sports Network) - The Buffalo Sabres will try to impress their new owner and snap a three-game losing streak when they host the struggling Atlanta Thrashers tonight at HSBC Arena.

The Sabres announced Terry Pegula as their new owner on Tuesday. Pegula purchased the club from Tom Golisano and the sale was approved last week by the NHL's Board of Governors.

Pegula, who was a Sabres season-ticket holder from 1980-98, becomes the fourth owner of the Sabres since the franchise was founded in 1970. Golisano owned the team from 2003-11.

Buffalo has lost its last three games in regulation and has a 1-3-1 record over its last five outings. The Sabres could desperately use a win tonight against a team it is currently tied with in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Sabres and Thrashers each have 60 points and are tied for the ninth seed in the East. Carolina is currently holding onto the final postseason berth in the conference with 65 points.

Atlanta has been mired in a prolonged drought and has just one victory in eight games (1-6-1) this month. The Thrashers have a dreadful 3-10-4 record in their last 17 contests.

The Thrashers and Sabres have split a pair of games this year and the final two meetings of the season series will be played in Buffalo. The Sabres notched a 4-1 win on Oct. 20 and Atlanta recorded an overtime victory just over a week later on Oct. 29.

Atlanta has taken eight of 11 overall in the series, but has lost four out of seven in western New York.

The Sabres were last in action on Sunday and dropped a 2-1 regulation decision to the visiting Washington Capitals. Marcus Johansson's power-play goal midway through the third period was the difference for Washington, which went 1-for-5 on the man advantage.

"When you take too many penalties you're going to lose," said Buffalo head coach Lindy Ruff. "They didn't have much going on 5-on-5 and we put ourselves in a tough position."

Jason Pominville had the lone goal, while Ryan Miller made 37 stops for the Sabres.

Buffalo has lost three in a row to begin its current six-game homestand and has also dropped four straight at HSBC Arena. The Sabres are 12-15-2 as the host this season.

Atlanta has also lost in its last three trips to the ice and the most recent setback came Saturday in Edmonton. Taylor Hall scored three straight power- play goals in the third period to notch his first career hat trick in the 5-3 win at Rexall Place.

Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd and Evander Kane lit the lamp for the Thrashers. Chris Mason allowed four goals on 25 shots in his first start since January 15.

"We gave them life," Thrashers head coach Craig Ramsay said. "Everything was going in our favor and then we take three penalties and give them those power- play chances and get behind."

Ondrej Pavelec is expected to get the start tonight. His only appearance against the Sabres ended in an overtime loss on Jan. 14 of last season.

Miller is 9-2-5 with a 2.62 goals-against average in his career against Atlanta.

Tonight's test marks the end of a three-game road trip for Atlanta. The Thrashers have lost five straight as the guest and are 12-13-5 away from home this season.