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Sabres seek fifth straight win against Flyers, Briere

Dec 21, 2007 - 3:56 PM Philadelphia (16-13-3) at Buffalo (17-14-1) 7:30 pm EST

BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) -- The Buffalo Sabres are playing their best hockey of the season.

On Friday, the Sabres seek their fifth straight win when they host the Philadelphia Flyers and former teammate Daniel Briere.

It marks the first time Briere will be facing the Sabres since he signed an eight-year, $52 million contract with the Flyers on July 1.

Briere developed into one of the game's best offensive centers in three seasons in Buffalo, recording career highs with 32 goals, 63 assists and 95 points in 2006-07 as the Sabres matched a franchise record with 113 points.

Briere has enjoyed a solid season with the Flyers, ranking second on the team with 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points.

Also making his first appearance in Buffalo as a member of the opposition will be Philadelphia goaltender Martin Biron, who spent eight seasons with the Sabres before he was traded to the Flyers on Feb. 27.

The Sabres struggled early this season without Briere, but have gone 11-4 in their last 15 contests to move within one point of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Sabres are coming off a 2-1 road victory over the New York Islanders on Wednesday, highlighted by Ryan Miller's career-high 42 saves.

The Flyers have lost four straight, including a 3-2 loss at home to Phoenix on Tuesday after squandering a two-goal lead. Philadelphia, which has allowed 17 goals in the four-game slide, is 1-8-0 with one tie in its last 10 games at Buffalo.

The teams will play again on Saturday at Philadelphia.