• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Sabres try to end futility vs. Islanders

Nov 22, 2008 - 11:28 AM NY Islanders (7-10-2) at Buffalo (9-7-3) 7:00 p.m. EST

BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) -- The Buffalo Sabres have turned their season around... in the wrong direction.

After losing four straight games in regulation, the Sabres try to end their futility on Saturday when they host the New York Islanders.

Buffalo opened the season with four straight wins, sprinting to a 6-0-2 start and first place in the Northeast Division. However, the Sabres have completely reversed that trend, going 1-5-1 in their last seven games while being outscored 21-7 over that span.

Buffalo registered a season-high 40 shots on Friday, but former Sabres netminder Martin Biron was equal to the task, earning his first shutout of the season and 24th of his career as the Philadelphia Flyers claimed a 3-0 victory.

The Sabres hope to avoid dropping five straight contests in regulation for the first time since March 18-25, 2006 in a meeting with the Islanders, who have lost five of their last six at HSBC Arena and each of the last three meetings vs. Buffalo overall.

New York had a three-game win streak snapped on Friday, dropping a 5-2 decision to the New Jersey Devils. Andy Hilbert and Sean Bergenheim scored for the Islanders as both players tied five others for third on the team with four goals.