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Sabres seek much-needed win over streaking Senators

Mar 13, 2011 - 2:33 PM (Sports Network) - The Buffalo Sabres will try to give themselves a little breathing room in the race for one of the Eastern Conference's last playoff spots this evening, when they host the streaking Ottawa Senators at HSBC Arena.

The Sabres failed to build on their lead for the East's eighth spot on Saturday, losing a 4-3 decision to the Maple Leafs. That victory allowed 10th- place Toronto to pull within four points of Buffalo, which also leads ninth- place Carolina by just two points. However, neither the Maple Leafs or Hurricanes are in action today.

The Sabres yielded a pair of third-period goals to the Maple Leafs last night in defeat, with Toronto getting the game-winner 6:36 into the frame when Phil Kessel's shot hit off the skate of Buffalo defenseman Steve Montador.

"They got lucky," Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said. "(The) puck went off the skate."

Mike Weber, Jochen Hecht and Jordan Leopold scored for the Sabres, who went 4-2-1 on a seven-game road trip. Ryan Miller turned aside 25-of-29 shots.

Buffalo played without Patrick Kaleta (knee), Drew Stafford (hamstring), Christ Butler (upper body) and Paul Gaustad (upper body) on Saturday.

The Sabres' road trip came right after a 2-3-1 homestand and they will play their next four at HSBC Arena, where the club is 14-15-3 this season.

Buffalo had lost 10 of its last 12 to Ottawa heading into this season, but has taken four of the five meetings in 2010-11, including each of the last three. The Sabres 4-2 victory on Feb. 25, fueled by Miller's 29 saves, snapped a five-game series home losing streak.

Miller has been in net for all five meetings, posting a 1.57 goals-against average.

The Senators will look to recapture some of that past success as they try to win a season high-tying four straight for the first time since Nov. 2-9. They have won three straight 2-1 games to begin a four-game road trip, including Friday's victory over Tampa Bay.

Making his first start with Ottawa since being acquired off waivers from the Lightning at the trade deadline, Curtis McElhinney made 34 saves to get the win.

"You want to make a good impression in your first opportunity," said McElhinney, who saw his first action since Feb. 23 with the Ducks. "We were able to take two points away from a good team tonight and it felt good to be back on the ice."

Jason Spezza and Bobby Butler scored for the Senators, who have won four straight and six of their last seven on the road.

Craig Anderson had started nine straight for Ottawa since being acquired in a trade with Colorado on Feb. 18 and is likely to start today despite McElhinney's successful debut.

Anderson is 6-3-0 with a 1.44 GAA and .956 save percentage since joining the Sens and has split four career decisions versus the Sabres with a 2.96 GAA.