Buffalo, NY (My Sportsbook) - The
Buffalo Sabres try to extend their unbeaten streak to seven games tonight when they welcome the
Toronto Maple Leafs to HSBC Arena.
Buffalo is 4-0-2 during its current tear, including a scoreless tie with visiting Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Martin Biron made 23 saves for his second consecutive shutout, and has a scoreless string of 141:12 intact. Biron's personal best for such a sequence is 144:04 -- set last season -- and the Sabres record is 178:33 (Dominik Hasek, February 17 - 23, 2001).
All told, Biron and rookie Ryan Miller have combined for three shutouts, a 1.37 goals-against average and .948 save percentage in the last 10 games.
Winger Miroslav Satan fell victim to the stinginess of Tuesday's deadlock and had a six-game points streak snapped. Satan had contributed a goal and five assists during his tear, and leads the team with 16 goals and 39 points for the season.
Buffalo, 2-0-1 in its last three home matches, will visit Ottawa on Saturday.
Toronto, meanwhile, hopes to rebound after having a three-game winning streak quelled in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to visiting Philadelphia. Alexander Mogilny's goal 54 seconds into the third period tied the game at 1-1, but the Flyers' Jeremy Roenick and Mark Recchi scored within a 22-second span to provide the difference. Rookie goaltender Mikael Tellqvist finished with 23 saves in his first NHL start.
Tellqvist was forced into duty because both Ed Belfour (back spasms) and Trevor Kidd (groin) were sidelined. All three players traveled with the team to Buffalo, and Belfour is probable to make tonight's start.
Elsewhere on the injury front, defenseman Jyrki Lumme (shoulder) is also probable, as is right wing Tom Fitzgerald (bruised ribs).
The Maple Leafs, who have won two straight road games, will host Colorado on Saturday.
Toronto is 2-0 against Buffalo this season, and 4-0-2 in the last six clashes. The home club is 12-1-4 in the last 17 games between these clubs, with the lone blemish coming in the form of the Leafs' 3-2 win in Buffalo on November 15.
