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Panthers look to end November woes

Nov 2, 2007 - 1:41 PM Florida (5-7-0) at Buffalo (5-5-1) 7:30 pm EDT

BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) -- November has not been kind to the Florida Panthers in recent years. Their trips to Buffalo have not been very hospitable either.

Captain Ollie Jokinen and the Panthers look to start the month off on a positive note when they visit the Buffalo Sabres on Friday.

Florida has won just four of its last 26 games in November the past two seasons and just one of 13 on the road in that span. In addition to their November struggles, the Panthers have lost three straight here.

One of those losses occurred Friday when goaltender Tomas Vokoun allowed three third-period goals in a 4-2 setback.

However, Florida has some positive momentum after scoring four goals in the third period to post a 4-2 win over Carolina on Wednesday.

Jokinen, who notched a goal and two assists in Wednesday's win, has a team-high 13 points.

Vokoun stopped 28 shots in the win to rebound from a tough stretch in which he allowed eight goals in his last two starts. The netminder is 3-2-0 with a 2.12 goals-against average against the Sabres in his career.

As for Buffalo, it had a two-game winning streak snapped in a 4-3 overtime loss to Boston on Thursday.

Ryan Miller stopped 20 shots in the loss and will likely give way to backup Jocelyn Thibault, who is 13-7-1 with a 2.31 GAA against Florida.