Preview: The Sabres are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, one point behind Carolina. The Wild was in 11th place in the West before Saturday's games, just one point behind eighth-place Dallas.

Players to watch: Wild W Martin Havlat has points in three straight games and has eight in his past eight games (4-4-8). Wild G Jose Theodore should get the start. RW Brad Boyes, a trade-deadline acquisition from St. Louis, has two goals and two assists in three games with the Sabres.

Injuries: C Mikko Koivu (broken finger) and Guillaume Latendresse (recovering from hip and hernia surgery) are out. Buffalo C Derek Roy (left quadriceps tendon) is out. D Jordan Leopold, who had missed three games with an upper body injury, returned to action on Saturday against Philadelphia.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD