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Sabres' playoff push continues against Lightning

Mar 19, 2008 - 12:23 PM Tampa Bay (29-35-8) at Buffalo (34-28-11) 7:00 pm EDT

BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) - The Buffalo Sabres continue their push toward an Eastern Conference playoff berth on Wednesday when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Sabres have won two straight, combining for 13 goals in victories over Carolina and Toronto.

"It's important to get on a roll right now," Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said. "This is the time of year when you scoreboard watch and look at what the teams around you are doing."

The Sabres are in 10th place and trying to jump over both Washington and Philadelphia, for the eighth and final postseason spot.

"As long as everybody's logjammed, everybody has a chance," Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller said. "You've got to be the team that's dedicated night in and night out."

The Lightning still have the lowest point total in the East, but have won their last three games by a combined score of 14-5.

"The whole theme, and it's gone on for a long time here, is we're defending very well," Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella said.

The Sabres have dominated the series of late, winning four straight and 10 of 11 over the Lightning. Miller has started all 11 of those games against Tampa Bay and has a 10-1-0 career record and a 2.33 goals-against average against the club.