Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scoreboard - Live Odds - Sporting Events - Live Lines

Sabres hope to continue recent tear with win over Thrashers

Fri 1st, February 2008

(Sports Network) - The Buffalo Sabres will aim for their fourth consecutive victory this evening, when they visit the Atlanta Thrashers for a battle at Philips Arena.

The Sabres had lost 12 of their previous 13 games before beginning this three- game winning streak. It's the longest winning stretch for Buffalo since the club rattled of six victories in a row from December 12-22.

Buffalo's latest victory came Wednesday night in Florida as Ryan Miller stopped all 32 shots he faced to record his second shutout of the season. Thomas Vanek also scored the game's only goal as the Sabres earned the 1-0 victory at the BankAtlantic Center.

In the dying seconds of the first period, Florida's Richard Zednik was sent to the penalty box for a holding the stick infraction. The power play carried over to the middle frame, where the Sabres took full advantage. Panthers goaltender Tomas Vokoun stopped Jason Pominville's blast from the point, but Vanek scooped up the rebound and deposited the puck in the back of the net 40 seconds into the frame.

The Sabres are now 3-2-0 on their season-long seven-game road trip, which ends Tuesday in Boston. Buffalo is 11-13-4 as the visiting club this year and had dropped eight straight road tests before winning the last three outings.

Meanwhile, the Thrashers will try to post back-to-back wins tonight after ending a five-game slide with Wednesday's home victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Kari Lehtonen made 29 saves and Ilya Kovalchuk notched the game-winning goal as Atlanta topped Pittsburgh, 4-1. Bobby Holik, Eric Perrin and Jim Slater scored for the Thrashers, who won for the first time since pounding the Red Wings, 5-1, in Detroit on January 15.

Kovalchuk recorded his 38th goal of the season, then left the game after Pens forward Jarkko Ruutu's knee collided with his own right knee along the boards at center ice with 3:21 played in the second. Kovalchuk was able to get to the locker room under his own power, and Ruutu was given a major penalty for kneeing along with a fighting major and a game misconduct.

The Russian superstar returned for one shift late in the period, but did not play for the remainder of the contest. Kovalchuk will miss tonight's game for precautionary reason, as an MRI on Thursday revealed no serious damage. Atlanta could have its leading scorer back in the lineup by early next week.

The Thrashers are 13-12-2 as the host team this season and are playing a stretch of six home games in seven outings. After tonight Atlanta will play in Washington on Saturday before returning home for a four-game stand.

The Sabres have won two of three against Atlanta this season and eight of the last 13 encounters overall. However, Buffalo has dropped two straight and eight of its previous 11 tilts at Philips Arena.

Where the players come to play and STAY.

Sports Information you need to win BIG.

Sports Contests – Think you know the game?

Poker Promotion

Find NC State basketball tickets at TickCo and watch the college basketball season wrap up with Final Four tickets!

Contact Us | Help | Site Map| Sport Links

Sportsbook Directory | Casinos Directory | Poker Room Directory | Racebook Directory | Partners Directory