Two of NHL's Recent Best Look to Extend Win Streaks as Buffalo visits Boston

The Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins had what you might describe as completely opposite offseasons. 

The Sabres, after a first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers, went out and bought just about everyone that money could buy, save for Brad Richards. 

Ville Leino got a six-year deal worth $27 million; Christian Ehrhoff got a 10-year deal worth $40 million; Drew Stafford and Tyler Myers were extended for top-dollar. 

Meanwhile, the Bruins merely won the Stanley Cup. 

So far, Leino has been a huge disappointment, amassing only 2-2=4 totals in the Sabres' 15 games. Ehrhoff has been more productive offensively, but he, like Leino, is a minus-2 rating on the season. Along with Cody McCormick, those two are the only Sabres who have played in all of the team's games to have a negative rating. 

The Sabres got a strong effort from Jonas Enroth last night as they beat up on hapless Ottawa by a 5-1 marker. They didn't skate this morning, but it's safe to assume that it'll be Ryan Miller between the pipes for Buffalo as Tim Thomas makes his first start in net for Boston since shutting out Toronto 7-0 last Saturday night. 

Miller has struggled this year, going 5-5 with a 2.74 GAA and a .913 save percentage

Boston will be without Andrew Ference, who's day-to-day with a lower-body injury tonight, which means that Steven Kampfer, who hasn't seen the ice in almost three weeks, will have to step up to take care of Jason Pominville, Thomas Vanek, Stafford and company. 

Both Boston and Buffalo are on four-game win streaks, with the Sabres having outscored their opposition 16-9 in the past four games and Boston beating up on their competition 24-8 over the course or their streak. The Sabres and Bruins have played particularly well in attacking and defending zones this season - each team is ranked in the top five (Boston 3, Buffalo 5) in the NHL in goals per game, while they are seventh (Buffalo) and eighth (Boston) in goals allowed. 

Rich Peverley is again a game-time decision for Boston with an undisclosed injury. If he's unable to play, Zach Hamill will step back in alongside Chris Kelly and Jordan Caron.