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Crosby, Penguins look to snap out of funk against Sabres

Dec 22, 2008 - 2:21 PM Pittsburgh (17-11-4) at Buffalo (16-13-4), 7:00 p.m. EST

BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) -- The struggles of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Sidney Crosby have become synonymous.

Mired in a month-long slump, the floundering Penguins and their captain hope to turn their fortunes around when they visit the Buffalo Sabres on Monday.

Pittsburgh has gone 3-5-1 in December, and Crosby has not tallied since recording a hat trick in a 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils on November 29.

His current nine-game drought is the longest of his career.

Crosby, who eclipsed Jaromir Jagr's record for most votes ever received by one player in one season in the history of NHL All-Star Game fan balloting, has 12 assists in that span, though.

Pittsburgh is coming off a 7-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.

Buffalo has alternated wins and losses for the last five contests after posting a three-game winning streak.

Despite their mediocre stretch, the Sabres have been sparked by the play of goaltender Ryan Miller.

The former Michigan State standout and 2001 Hobey Baker Award winner posted a 40-save shutout in a 5-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Friday and turned aside 42 shots in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens the following evening.

Center Derek Roy is enjoying a nine-game points streak - the longest of any Sabres player this season.