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7:00PM TV:MSG Radio:WGR55

This is probably the most important games on the schedule tonight.  The Sabres are three points behind the Flyers for the eighth and final playoff spot while Carolina leads the Capitals by five points for the Southeast Division.  The Canes have been red hot going 7-2-1 in their last 10 and they are 4-1-0 in their last five.  Buffalo is looking to break out of a mini slump going 2-3-0 in their last five.  The Sabres will get Jochen Hecht back from injury tonight and will scratch Daniel Paille.  Lindy Ruff decided to go back to the old lines for the top three with Bernier and Kaleta joining Adam Mair on the fourth line.  It's been an interesting series between these two teams with Carolina winning 6-2 back in October and Buffalo winning 8-1 in December.  The winner tonight will be in a better position to secure a playoff spot.

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Buffalo Leaders

Goals:Thomas Vanek 27
Assists:Jason Pominville 41
Points:Jason Pominville 63
Plus/minus:Jason Pominville +12
PIM:Andrew Peters 85

Capitals Leaders

Goals:Eric Staal 33
Assists:Matt Cullen 35
Points:Eric Staal 65
Plus/minus:Joe Corvo +19
PIM:Scott Walker 86

Projected Sabres lines

Vanek-Roy-Stafford
Hecht-Connolly-Pominville
Kotalik-Gaustad-Afinogenov
Kaleta-Mair-Bernier

Kalinin-Lydman
Sekera-Spacek
Paetsch-Pratt