Game Preview For Tonight’s Match-Up- The Sabres vs The Leafs

After a strong start to their season, our Buffalo Sabres struggled through December with a 4-7-3 record. So far, 2012 hasn't been any better. After starting the new year by beating Edmonton 4-3, they lost 4-2 at Carolina and 2-1 in overtime to Winnipeg before being beat in Toronto on Tuesday. Will they have some luck on the unluckiest day of all, Friday the 13^th?

So far tonight The Leafs are coming in with a four-game winning streak. They've been able to outscore their opponents 17-6, and have been able to move into seventh place in the East. The Sabres have lost their last three and six of their past seven to fall to 11^th place. If there was any time best for a win, tonight's game is it.

It doesn't help our Sabres' won't be playing full strength tonight, a couple players are out with injuries. Thomas Vanek is questionable for tonight's game with an upper-body injury and Derek Roy, Andrej Sekera, Tyler Ennis, and Christian Ehrhoff are already out. We can only hope this won't hurt game play.

If any January game was considered a must-win game, tonight's game would be the one. The Sabres hit the road after tonight's game for a seven-game trip. They are going to need to improve road play during this trip if they hope to salvage their season. It doesn't look so good so far because currently Buffalo has lost seven straight out on the road. Hopefully history won't repeat itself on this road trip.

Read the full game preview here.