Watch NHL : Buffalo at Phoenix Live, kick off time at 7:00 PM ET, January 18, 2010.
The Buffalo Sabres and Phoenix Coyotes have spent recent postseasons watching other teams compete for the Stanley Cup, but both clubs have returned to contention behind workhorse goaltenders having career seasons.
Buffalo’s Ryan Miller and Phoenix’s Ilya Bryzgalov are likely to square off for the second time in their careers Monday as the Sabres look to earn at least a point for an 11th straight game.
The Sabres (29-11-6) narrowly missed the playoffs the last two seasons, but with a 10-point lead atop the Northeast Division, they are in excellent position to end that drought.
They have been especially sharp lately, going 7-0-3 since Christmas and 17-4-4 since Thanksgiving with Miller leading the way. The likely starter for the United States at the Vancouver Olympics ranks second in the NHL with a career-best 2.01 goals-against average.
Miller made 36 saves to help Buffalo earn a point in a 3-2 shootout road loss to the New York Islanders on Saturday night. He remained confident even after allowing four goals on eight opportunities in the tiebreaker.
Watch Buffalo at Phoenix Live
RSS Feeds
