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Sabres try to avoid franchise-record ninth straight loss

Jan 12, 2008 - 3:33 PM New Jersey (25-15-3) at Buffalo (19-18-5) 7:00 pm EST

BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) -- Last season's Presidents Trophy winning campaign seems like a long time ago for the Buffalo Sabres right now.

The Sabres look to avoid a franchise-record ninth consecutive loss when they host Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night.

After a season-high six-game winning streak, Buffalo has lost eight straight contests, including a pair of shootout losses to New Jersey. Over their miserable stretch, the Sabres have fallen four times in the bonus format.

For the Sabres to end their slide, they will have to find a way to get the puck past Brodeur, the Eastern Conference's starting goaltender in the All-Star Game.

Brodeur has already had a a pair of good performances against Buffalo this season, posting a 2-0-0 record with a 0.92 goals-against average and .961 save percentage.

Brodeur is currently on a four-game winning streak, allowing just four goals over that span. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner is 23-13-2 with a 2.11 GAA and four shutouts this season.

The task becomes even greater for the Sabres, who have four regular players battling injuries.

Maxim Afinogenov and Tim Connolly are both recovering from groin injuries, while Derek Roy has a shoulder injury and defenseman Jaroslav Spacek left Thursday's loss to the Ottawa Senators with back spasms.