SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — This may be overly simplistic, but Tim Connolly and Drew Stafford each have one defining trait they can bring to the Buffalo Sabres. For Connolly, it's an innate ability to set up goals with his creative passing. For Stafford, it's the strength to make room along the boards and in front of the net, putting himself in position to receive good passes.

If it seems those two skill sets might work well together, you've caught on to the Sabres' way of thinking.

Connolly and Stafford, who became linemates three games ago, have become Buffalo's most productive duo. They have combined for seven goals and two assists in the past two games.

"We'll maybe get even better if we stick together," Stafford said.

They'll likely be alongside each other Saturday when the Sabres visit the Phoenix Coyotes. There's little reason to break up the line, which also features leading scorer Thomas Vanek.

The blueprint for their success sprang to life during Wednesday's 5-2 loss in Calgary. Stafford dumped the puck into the Flames' end and muscled defenseman Adrian Aucoin off the puck. He slipped it to Connolly, who drew two defenders near. As soon as the center knew Stafford was alone, he dropped a no-look pass onto the right winger's stick.

From there, the 6-foot-2, 213-pound Stafford skated to the net and held off a Flame while scoring on his rebound. It was his fourth goal during the two-day swing through Alberta. He's improved his season numbers to 13 goals in 46 games.

"That's what I try and work on, as far as my strength, and use that to my advantage," Stafford said. "I'm fortunate and blessed with decent size that I can kind of use, so that's what I've got to do as far as getting pucks to the net.

"I can help [Connolly] as far as winning battles and creating space for him to make some plays."

Connolly is the Sabres' hottest scorer with six goals in the past five games, including a power-play tally against the Flames. But no matter how many goals he deposits, it's his assists that generate interest.

"Those two guys out there, it's just my job to get them the puck as much as possible and try to create chances for them," Connolly said.

Coach Lindy Ruff is counting on the trio to be the go-to line. He was pleased with their showing early against the Flames, not so much as Calgary pulled away with three goals in the third period.

"I liked that line in the second, I didn't like that line in the third," Ruff said. "Staff's effort was real good on the goal. He did some good things in the third, but that line didn't get a shot on net in the third period. We wanted them to make a difference. Maybe it's a little bit more the other two guys than Staff because I thought his effort was pretty good."

Connolly, who has eight goals and seven assists in his 15 games this season, concurred.

"We could have played a little bit better," he said. "Early on we created a few chances, but later in the game when the game was on the line, we didn't do a good enough job of getting more chances and giving ourselves a chance to win."

It seems certain they'll get another shot.