Hurricanes 1 - 0 Sabres
Final
  for this game

Sabres and Hurricanes collide in Buffalo

Mar 15, 2011 - 3:06 PM (Sports Network) - The Carolina Hurricanes will try to get their playoff chances back on track tonight when they visit the Buffalo Sabres for an important Eastern Conference battle at HSBC Arena.

Carolina has lost its last four games (0-3-1) and is currently four points behind both the Sabres and New York Rangers for the final two postseason berths in the East.

Buffalo, meanwhile, has split its last four games, but the Sabres have a solid 7-2-2 record over their last 11 outings.

The Sabres and Hurricanes have split a pair of meetings this season, with each club winning a game on home ice. Jamie McBain scored the game-winner 26 seconds into overtime for Carolina when the clubs last met on March 3 in Raleigh. Buffalo has also taken four of seven overall in the series and Carolina has lost in two of three and seven of its last nine trips to western New York.

The Hurricanes last played on Saturday and were dealt a regulation loss by the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets. Derek MacKenzie scored twice and Steve Mason made 29 saves for the Blue Jackets, who had lost seven in a row prior to the 3-2 win over the 'Canes.

Jeff Skinner tallied for Carolina and Tuomo Ruutu scored in the final minute of regulation to get the Hurricanes within one, but they couldn't pull even. Cam Ward allowed two goals on 27 shots in the losing effort.

"We're struggling to score some goals, we have been for a little bit, ever since [a 4-1 win against Pittsburgh on February 25]," said Carolina head coach Paul Maurice. "We've got guys that normally don't miss those, and we missed some dandies tonight. We just had too many good opportunities not to finish."

The Hurricanes have scored a total of seven goals during their current skid.

Carolina has also lost four straight and eight of its last nine road games. The 'Canes are just 13-17-6 as the visiting team this season.

Buffalo earned a victory Sunday against Ottawa on what was a sad day overall for the franchise. Prior to the game, the Sabres confirmed that franchise great Rick Martin died at the age of 59, reportedly after suffering a heart attack while driving.

Tyler Ennis scored a pair of goals and Mike Weber picked up three assists as Buffalo upended Ottawa, 6-4, at HSBC Arena.

"Obviously a sad day, but I told the team [Martin] would want us to go out and win one and he'd want us to go out an have some fun during the game," said Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff. "It was nice we could win one for Rico."

Thomas Vanek and Paul Gaustad posted a goal and assist each for the Sabres. Jhonas Enroth gave No. 1 netminder Ryan Miller a rare day off and stopped 34- of-38 shots for the win.

Miller is expected to start tonight and is 1-0-1 with a 2.49 goals-against average in two games against Carolina this season. Last year's Vezina Trophy winner is 11-4-4 with a 2.70 GAA in his career versus the 'Canes.

Sabres forward Jochen Hecht left Sunday's game with an upper-body injury and is questionable for tonight. Fellow forward Drew Stafford has sat out the last two games with a hamstring injury and is also questionable for this evening's contest.

Tonight's tilt is the second test on a four-game homestand for the Sabres, who are 15-15-3 as the host this season.






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