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Sabres host Predators in western New York

Mon 1st, December 2008

(Sports Network) - The Buffalo Sabres will aim for their third win in four games when they welcome the Nashville Predators for this evening's contest at HSBC Arena.

The Sabres ended a five-game losing streak with consecutive victories over Boston and Pittsburgh, but were back in the loss column after dropping Saturday's contest in Montreal.

Buffalo was handed a 3-2 regulation loss by the Canadiens as Andrei Markov netted the eventual game-winner in the second period to lead Montreal.

Thomas Vanek continued his hot start to the season with two goals for Buffalo and is back in the NHL lead with 17 tallies on the year. Philadelphia's Jeff Carter, who has 16 goals, had recently taken over the goal lead, but Vanek regained it with his strong performance on Saturday.

Patrick Lalime, in his sixth start of the season, stopped 31-of-34 shots in a losing effort for Buffalo. Tonight, the Sabres will likely start No. 1 netminder Ryan Miller, who is 10-5-2 on the season.

The Sabres are 7-5-1 as the host this year and have won their last two tests in western New York. After tonight's tilt Buffalo will embark on a three-game road trip, beginning with Thursday's matchup with the Florida Panthers.

Nashville has won just twice in its last six games (2-3-1) and is coming off Saturday's blowout loss to visiting Minnesota. Mikko Koivu registered two goals and an assist, as the Wild matched a team record with five power-play goals in a 6-2 thrashing of the Predators at Sommet Center.

Jason Arnott and David Legwand scored for the Predators, while Dan Ellis allowed all six goals on 29 shots in defeat.

The Predators tied a dubious franchise record by allowing the five power-play goals on Minnesota's 11 chances with the man advantage. Nashville had killed off 20 straight power plays heading into Saturday's contest. For the season, the Preds have the 24th-ranked penalty kill in the league, stopping opponents from scoring 79.8-percent of the time.

Nashville is just 6-7-1 away from the Music City this year, but has won two straight on the road.

The Sabres have won two in a row against the Predators, but Nashville had been 3-0 with a tie in the previous four meetings.