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Miller, Sabres aim for fourth straight win

Jan 21, 2009 - 11:29 AM Buffalo (24-17-5) at Tampa Bay (15-21-10), 7:30 p.m. EST

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- At this point, the Buffalo Sabres do not want the All-Star break to come.

Seeking their fourth straight victory, goaltender Ryan Miller and the Sabres continue their trek when they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday.

After a stellar effort in a 3-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, Miller stopped 27 shots en route to beating the Florida Panthers, 3-2, in a shootout on Monday.

Ales Kotalik and Derek Roy tallied in the bonus format and Thomas Vanek and Tim Connolly scored in regulation for the Sabres, who have won seven of nine.

The Sabres have played in eight consecutive games decided by two goals or less, and their success this month can be attributed to the elevated play of Miller. The former Michigan State standout and 2001 Hobey Baker Award winner has surrendered three goals or less in six of those games.

Miller is 22-11-4 with a 2.48 goals-against average in 38 games this season.

Tampa Bay has won five of its last eight, and bounced back from a loss to the Florida Panthers on Saturday with a 4-2 victory over the Dallas Stars two night later.

Captain Vincent Lecavalier, the subject of many trade rumors, has scored in three straight games. He has also recorded seven goals and 14 points over the last 10 contests.