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(Sports Network) - The Buffalo Sabres will aim for a fourth consecutive victory when they welcome the Minnesota Wild for an interconference clash at HSBC Arena.

The Sabres' three-game winning streak is the club's longest since a season- best six-game stretch from Dec. 27-Jan. 8. Buffalo needs all the wins it can get at this point as it fights to stay atop the Northeast Division. With 81 points, the Sabres are just two ahead of Ottawa for first place.

After winning back-to-back overtime decisions the Sabres recorded a regulation victory Wednesday against Dallas. Thomas Vanek scored the eventual game-winner midway through the second period, helping lift the Sabres to the 5-3 home win.

Rookie defenseman Tyler Myers had a goal and three assists for the Sabres, continuing to solidify his status as a Calder Trophy candidate. Myers is third amongst all rookie skaters with 36 points and is the top defenseman on that list.

Derek Roy and Mark Mancari each had a goal and an assist. Jason Pominville had the other score for the victors.

"I'm very excited to get in to help the team," Mancari said. "Obviously, I'm doing everything I can to stay here."

Ryan Miller made 17 saves to pick up his 33rd win of the year. Buffalo's No. 1 netminder is expected to sit tonight in favor of backup Patrick Lalime. Miller is instead expected to start Saturday in Detroit.

Buffalo has won three of its last four home games and is 21-8-6 as the host this year.

Meanwhile, the Wild have lost four straight games, going 0-2-2 over that stretch. Minnesota's playoff hopes are fading, as the Wild are currently tied for 12th in the Western Conference and nine points out the West's final postseason berth.

The Wild did not help their playoff chances at all on Thursday, getting pounded 5-1 in Detroit. Johan Franzen tallied a pair of goals as the Red Wings flattened Minnesota at Joe Louis Arena.

Andrew Ebbett notched the lone score for the Wild, who slid to their sixth loss in eight contests.

Josh Harding was tagged for all five goals on 30 shots in defeat.

"Tonight just wasn't my night," Harding said. "It was bouncing off me, and went off their guys and in the net. It just bounced over top of me and into the net. There's a couple that if I save, who knows what the outcome will be?"

Harding could start again tonight after regular goaltender Niklas Backstrom suffered a groin injury during Thursday's morning skate. Wade Dubielewicz has not been officially recalled as the backup but did make the trip to Buffalo in case Backstrom is unable to suit up tonight.

The Sabres won an OT decision in Minnesota in the only meeting between the clubs last year. Buffalo has won two of the last three encounters and has five wins in nine all-time matchups between the clubs. The Wild have won three straight in western New York.

The Wild have a poor 10-20-3 record as the visiting team this season.