Ducks Seek Win in Final Game before Christmas
NHL.com
DUCKS (18-15-4) at SABRES (13-16-4)
Last 10: Anaheim 5-4-1; Buffalo 5-4-1.
Season Series: This is the lone meeting between the teams. They last faced each other on Jan. 19, when Anaheim earned a 5-4 victory at Honda Center.
Big Story:
Jonas Hiller stole the show Monday night, when he made 45 saves to lead the Ducks to a 3-0 victory at Boston. The win pulled Anaheim within three points of first-place Dallas in the Pacific Division.
"If we play like that every single game, with guys out there blocking shots, we've got a good chance to win," Hiller said.
Team Scope:
Ducks: Rookie
Brandon McMillan had his first career multi-point game to help Anaheim snap a two-game skid on a season-high, seven-game road trip.
Lubomir Visnovsky and
Corey Perry also scored and
Teemu Selanne had two assists for the Ducks, who play in Buffalo on Tuesday. It was Hiller's second shutout of the season and eighth of his career.
"Jonas was in a zone and really stole the show," Ducks forward
Bobby Ryan said of his goaltender.
Sabres: Buffalo is hoping to avoid its third straight loss following Saturday's 3-1 loss at Tampa Bay. Jason Pominville had a goal and Ryan Miller made 34 saves after allowing four goals on 10 shots in the first period of a 6-2 loss Friday night at Florida.
"It's disappointing," Sabres right wing Mike Grier said of the consecutive losses. "We were playing fairly well coming in, but we dug ourselves a hole."
Who's Hot:
Teemu Selanne had two assists Monday night, while
Corey Perry scored shorthanded for his 17th goal of the season. … Pominville has goals in three straight games and points in six of his last seven.
Injury Report:
Aaron Voros (orbital bone) is out for the Ducks. … Sabres defenseman Shaone Morrisonn is out indefinitely with a concussion.
Stat Pack: Anaheim defenseman
Andreas Lilja played in his 500th game, and
Ryan Getzlaf played in game No. 400 on Monday.