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(Sports Network) - The struggling Buffalo Sabres will aim for their first win since the Olympic break when they welcome the Philadelphia Flyers for tonight's Eastern Conference battle at HSBC Arena.

The Sabres have lost two straight since the NHL returned from hiatus and Buffalo has lost eight of nine overall, posting a 1-6-2 record since the start of February.

Buffalo is still fifth in the East standings with 75 points and is just one point behind Ottawa for first place in the Northeast Division.

The Sabres were dealt a 3-1 loss Wednesday by visiting Washington. Mike Green's third-period goal proved to be the game-winner for the Capitals.

Jochen Hecht scored the lone goal for the Sabres. Ryan Miller, who grabbed MVP honors at the Vancouver Olympics for guiding Team USA to a silver medal, received a standing ovation from the crowd before the game and finished with 37 saves.

"It's my job to get them ready to play and I didn't do it," said Buffalo head coach Lindy Ruff. "That falls on my shoulders. We didn't play well tonight and broke down system-wise and we got away from playing the way we need to play."

The Sabres have won two of three against the Flyers this year and this evening's matchup marks the final regular season meeting between these conference foes. Philadelphia has taken six of nine overall in the series and has won four straight in western New York.

Buffalo also has a solid 19-8-6 record at home this year, but has lost four of its last five at HSBC Arena.

The Flyers, meanwhile, will try to bounce back after having a five-game winning streak halted on Wednesday.

Philadelphia won its fifth straight contest with a 7-2 road rout of the Lightning on Tuesday, but was blown out the following night at Florida. David Booth and Bryan McCabe each had a goal and three assists as the Panthers clobbered the Flyers, 7-4, at BankAtlantic Center.

Jeff Carter had a goal and an assist for the Flyers, who are sixth in the East and six points behind the Sabres.

Michael Leighton started in net, but was pulled in the second period after giving up four goals on 26 shots. Brian Boucher finished the game between the pipes and allowed two goals on 16 shots.

"We played mindless hockey," Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette said. "You need to execute in your system offensively and defensively in order to be successful at either one."

Tonight marks the finale of a four-game road trip for the Flyers, who began the swing in their last contest before the Olympic break. Philly is 15-15-1 as the guest this year, but had won three straight road games before Wednesday's setback in Sunrise.