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Bruins look to stay hot against Sabres

Nov 19, 2008 - 11:25 AM Buffalo (9-5-3) at Boston (11-3-4), 7:00 p.m. EST

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Bruins were expected to improve after a surprise playoff berth last season. Less than a quarter of the way through this season, they look like a contender in the Eastern Conference.

Boston seeks to keep rolling when it hosts the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday.

The Bruins are 9-1-1 in their last 11 games and have allowed just 13 goals over their last 10 contests.

Defense has been the team's biggest strength as Boston ranks second in the league at 2.05 goals allowed per game. Goaltender Tim Thomas leads the league with a 1.78 goals-against average and a .944 save percentage.

Boston, which has won five straight home games, is coming off a 3-2 victory over Toronto on Monday. Phil Kessel, rookie defenseman Matt Hunwick and Michael Ryder all scored for the Bruins.

The Sabres have lost decisively in back-to-back games, includings a 5-2 setback at Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Left wing Thomas Vanek scored his team-leading 13th goal and right wing Jason Pominville tallied in his third straight game in the loss.

Buffalo lost, 3-1, at Boston on November 8.