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(Sports Network) - Hoping to inch closer to their first division title in three seasons the Buffalo Sabres seek a fourth consecutive victory this evening at HSBC Arena when they host the rival Montreal Canadiens, who are expected to have both Michael Cammalleri and Marc-Andre Bergeron back in the lineup.

The Sabres own a five-point edge over the Senators for first place in the Northeast Division with a game in hand and 11 contests left in the season. Buffalo hasn't won the Northeast crown since 2007 and beings a three-game homestand tonight that also features a visit from the Senators on Friday.

Sunday's 5-3 victory at Carolina allowed Buffalo to finish a five-game road trip with a 3-1-1 record. Jochen Hecht scored twice and Tim Connolly had a goal and an assist in the victory, while Toni Lydman and Tim Kennedy also added goals.

"We played a full 60 minutes tonight and had a successful road trip," said Hecht. "We got points in four of the five games and things are looking good for us heading back home."

Ryan Miller made 27 saves for the Sabres, who are tying to win four straight for the first time since a six-game win streak from Dec. 27-Jan. 8.

The Sabres are 3-0-1 versus the Canadiens this year, winning three straight since a 2-1 overtime home setback on Oct. 3. Buffalo notched a 1-0 win when the clubs last met in Montreal on Jan. 3, with Connolly scoring the lone goal and Miller posting a 30-save shutout.

In addition to winning six of the last seven meetings in the series, Buffalo has come out on top in four of five and seven of Montreal's last 10 trips to western New York.

The Habs will have reinforcements tonight in Cammalleri and Bergeron, who are both slated to return from knee injuries. Cammalleri leads Montreal with 26 goals despite having not played since Jan. 30, while Bergeron should boost the club's power-play unit. Bergeron has been out since Feb. 4 and has 20 power- play points this season.

The Canadiens come into this contest tied with the Flyers for the sixth spot in the East and four points back of the Senators for fifth. Montreal fell behind Ottawa in the standings after a 2-0 home loss to the Sens on Monday.

Brian Elliott made 29 saves to give Ottawa the shutout, while Jaroslav Halak made 25 saves for Montreal. The Canadiens were 6-0-1 over their last seven before losing to the Sens.

"We came out flat in the first period," said Brian Gionta. "We've got to find a way to do a better job of getting better chances, which we didn't do tonight. We have to have a good effort in the last nine games to assure ourselves of that playoff spot."

The Habs, who have nine games left in the regular season, have lost four of their last six on the road.