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Hurricanes, Sabres do battle in Raleigh

Mar 3, 2011 - 4:47 PM (Sports Network) - A key battle in the Eastern Conference playoff race is on tap tonight in Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Buffalo Sabres at RBC Center.

With 69 points, Carolina is currently holding onto the eighth and final postseason berth in the East. Buffalo is seeded ninth in the conference and is just two points in back of the Hurricanes.

Buffalo picked up a home win against Carolina on Jan. 13 in the only meeting between the clubs this season. The Sabres have won four of six overall in the series and have claimed two of their last three games in Raleigh.

The Sabres have gained a point in each of their past four games, posting a 3-0-1 record over that stretch. Buffalo got off to a good start on a seven- game road trip with Tuesday's win over the New York Rangers, who are just three points ahead of the Sabres in the East standings.

Ryan Miller made 29 saves and Tyler Myers, Brad Boyes and Jochen Hecht scored for the Sabres in their 3-2 regulation win at Madison Square Garden. The victory was the fourth straight for Buffalo on the road and improved the Sabres' away record this season to 16-10-4.

"Just keep grinding," Miller said. "This road trip is about the game we're going to play the day of the game."

Buffalo played Monday without leading scorer Thomas Vanek, who is battling an ankle injury. Vanek, who has 23 goals and 52 points this season, did not practice on Wednesday, but is probable for tonight's contest.

Carolina won for the second time in three games with Tuesday's 2-1 home win over the Florida Panthers. Cam Ward was spectacular in the win, stopping 41- of-42 shots sent his way.

The 'Canes scored both of their goals in the first period and Ward stopped all 18 shots he faced in the third period to help Carolina pick up two points.

"You can't take your foot off the gas with a lead in this league," said Ward of Carolina's tenuous position as the East's eighth seed. "You see all over that teams constantly come back from deficits, so it's important to stay focused."

Cory Stillman and Eric Staal provided the tallies for the Hurricanes, who are sporting a 17-10-3 home record this season.

Ward and Miller are expected to get the starts in net tonight for their respective clubs. Miller is 11-4-3 with a 2.68 goals-against average in his career against Buffalo, while Ward is 4-6-1 with a 3.36 GAA versus the Sabres.