Devils-Sabres Preview
Share This Story
While the New Jersey Devils search for ways to end their recent struggles, the Buffalo Sabres hope they're in the midst of finally turning their dismal season around.
The visiting Devils look to avoid a fourth straight defeat and keep the Sabres, who will be without leading scorer Thomas Vanek, from a season-high third consecutive victory Saturday.
New Jersey (10-6-4) averaged 2.9 goals during its 9-2-3 start, but has totaled nine while going 1-4-1 since. The Devils, who allowed a goal 8 seconds into Thursday's 3-1 loss at Winnipeg, have been held to one goal four times in their last six games while going 2 for 22 on the power play.
"It's frustrating," said forward David Clarkson, who has a team-leading 10 goals but none in the last six contests. "We've got to find a way to get out of this and start playing in the other team's zone a little more."
It has not helped that the Devils have allowed opponents to go 8 of 20 on the power play during the rough stretch.
New Jersey's three-game slide in regulation has coincided with future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur's absence due to a sore back. Brodeur, who had a 1.84 goals-against average in a 5-1-1 stretch before the injury, isn't eligible to come off injured reserve until Monday.
Johan Hedberg, expected to make his fourth consecutive start, has a 4.06 GAA while losing four straight outings. He's allowed eight goals while dropping his last two starts against the Sabres, but has not faced them since November 2010.
After playing their last four against Washington and Winnipeg, the Devils may be excited to face a different opponent while trying to avoid their second four-game skid of the season. New Jersey went 3-0-1 against the Sabres in 2011-12, scoring nine times to win its two trips to Buffalo.
The Sabres (8-12-1) have won two in a row behind six goals after totaling one while losing their first two games under interim coach Ron Rolston. Nathan Gerbe scored his first two goals of the season and Ryan Miller made 40 saves in Buffalo's 4-3 shootout win at Florida on Thursday.
"We'll take it. It's a step in the direction we need to keep going in," said Rolston, who was coaching Buffalo's AHL affiliate in Rochester when he was tabbed to replace the fired Lindy Ruff last week.
"We still have a big ceiling in terms of room for improvement for our team. Our mindset has to be to get back and be better again come Saturday."
Buffalo, however, will be without Vanek because of a nagging upper body injury. Rolston described the injury as short-term and hopes Vanek, who ranks third in the NHL with 27 points (12 goals and 15 assists), will return for Sunday's game at the New York Rangers.
The Sabres went 0 for 13 on the power play in the previous four games but converted their only chance Thursday. Buffalo also has killed 9 of 10 penalties in its last two contests after its previous five opponents went 5 for 16 with the man advantage.
"Ron has made some adjustments, made some changes," forward Jason Pominville told the NHL's official website. "He said from the get-go it might take some time, but we're slowly starting to get results."
The Sabres are looking to get Rolston his first victory at home, where they'll try to avoid their first four-game skid since Feb. 13-20, 2011.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Long history of Tiger-Sergio squabble
The nearly 15-year squabble between Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia has reached a new l... -
Tebow's name found in NCAA game
In an embarrassing blow to the NCAA, a gamer recently discovered that former Florida ... -
Is Katherine Webb engaged?
Perhaps Alabama QB AJ McCarron did, in fact, “put a ring on itâ... -
Patrick will start at back of field
Danica Patrick got some bad news when her No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet SS dev... -
Grizzlies' Allen fined $5,000 for flop
The NBA has fined Grizzlies guard Tony Allen $5,000 for violating the league's anti-f...
NHL Videos
Highlights: OTT/PIT - Game 5
Posted: May 25, 2013
Highlights of the Penguins' series-clinching 6-2 win over the Senators in Game 5...
Highlights of the Penguins' series-clinching 6-2 win over the Senators in Game 5...
Highlights: SJ/LA - Game 5
Posted: May 24, 2013
Watch highlights of the Kings' 3-0 win over the Sharks.
Watch highlights of the Kings' 3-0 win over the Sharks.
Highlights: CHI/DET - Game 4
Posted: May 24, 2013
Watch highlights of Detroit's 2-0 playoff win over the Blackhawks.
Watch highlights of Detroit's 2-0 playoff win over the Blackhawks.
NHL Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reebok Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins Premier Hockey Jersey - Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Pittsburgh_Penguins/browse/featuredproduct/175178/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_175000/FF_175178_xl.jpg&w=100 | 159.95 | Reebok Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins Premier Hockey Jersey - Black |
| Reebok Dallas Stars White Premier Hockey Jersey | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Dallas_Stars/browse/featuredproduct/243363/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_243000/FF_243363_xl.jpg&w=100 | 124.95 | Reebok Dallas Stars White Premier Hockey Jersey |
| Reebok Tampa Bay Lightning Primary Logo T-Shirt - Royal Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Tampa_Bay_Lightning/browse/featuredproduct/301017/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_301000/ff_301017_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.95 | Reebok Tampa Bay Lightning Primary Logo T-Shirt - Royal Blue |
| Majestic Anaheim Ducks Black Official Logo Full Zip Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Anaheim_Ducks/browse/featuredproduct/398322/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_398000/FF_398322_xl.jpg&w=100 | 43.99 | Majestic Anaheim Ducks Black Official Logo Full Zip Hoodie Sweatshirt |
| Detroit Red Wings Youth Black Southpaw Backpack | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Detroit_Red_Wings/browse/featuredproduct/403205/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_403000/FF_403205_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Detroit Red Wings Youth Black Southpaw Backpack |
| Reebok Chicago Blackhawks #88 Patrick Kane Red Premier Hockey Jersey | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Chicago_Blackhawks/browse/featuredproduct/408123/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_408000/FF_408123_xl.jpg&w=100 | 159.95 | Reebok Chicago Blackhawks #88 Patrick Kane Red Premier Hockey Jersey |
| Majestic New Jersey Devils Red Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_Jersey_Devils/browse/featuredproduct/456774/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_456000/ff_456774_xl.jpg&w=100 | 47.99 | Majestic New Jersey Devils Red Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt |
| Vancouver Canucks 2011 NHL Western Conference Champions Hockey Stick | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Vancouver_Canucks/browse/featuredproduct/665779/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_665000/ff_665779_xl.jpg&w=100 | 11.95 | Vancouver Canucks 2011 NHL Western Conference Champions Hockey Stick |
| Majestic New York Islanders Royal Blue Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Islanders/browse/featuredproduct/752594/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_752000/ff_752594_xl.jpg&w=100 | 47.99 | Majestic New York Islanders Royal Blue Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.