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Flyers can open gap on Sabres

Mar 4, 2008 - 11:16 AM Buffalo (31-26-9) at Philadelphia (33-25-8) 7:00 pm EST

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Flyers will try to create a little space between themselves and the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday in the race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Sabres, who are three points behind the eighth-place Flyers, are hoping to avoid a three-game losing streak. They suffered a 4-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday.

In their most recent meeting, former Sabre Daniel Briere scored the decisive goal in the shootout as the Flyers posted a 4-3 comeback victory.

Briere, who came to Philadelphia this offseason after spending 3 1/2 seasons with Buffalo, has 22 goals and 57 points this season.

The Sabres did beat the Flyers in two earlier meetings this season, including a shootout triumph in Philadelphia.

The Flyers, who are kicking off a three-game homestand, had a three-game winning streak snapped Sunday with a 5-4 shootout loss to the rival New York Rangers.

Buffalo netminder Ryan Miller, who has never played more than 63 contests in a season during his career, likely will start his 62nd game of the campaign.