The Buffalo Sabres' three-game winning streak is a stroke of pretty good timing. It has

virtually cemented them as a playoff team for the first time since 2007 and kept them at the

top of the Northeast Division race.

And it was really important when you look at what's left on the schedule.

The Sabres have 17 games remaining — but just six at home, starting with tonight's

visit by the Minnesota Wild. Following tonight, the next five are on the road (starting

Saturday in Detroit). And five of the six games in April are also away from HSBC Arena.

In fact, three of the remaining home games (against Montreal, Ottawa and Tampa Bay) come in

a four-day span later this month.

The Sabres were in an 0-6-2 nosedive on the road until Sunday's overtime win over the New

York Rangers in Madison Square Garden. They are 21-8-6 at home, 15-12-3 on the road.

"Our road play has been disappointing but I think we got it back in the right direction with

our win in New York," coach Lindy Ruff said after Thursday's optional practice in the arena.

Ruff was equally happy with Wednesday's 5-3 win over Dallas, as the Sabres put together

their best offensive show at home in more than two months. The goals, as well as some hits

from Patrick Kaleta and a spirited Kaleta-Steve Ott fight, got the building rocking as much as

it has all season after many nights when it's been library-quiet.

"Sometimes that comes with play. Sometimes the play has been a little quiet," Ruff said. "It

was good to see the energy back but the energy was back because we provided some

entertainment. We scored some goals and created the energy when we needed to."

"He's an energy player," captain Craig Rivet said of Kaleta. "Every team needs guys like

that. We're extremely happy to have Patty. The guy hits like a football player on skates. He's

so strong and so powerful."

After the game, Kaleta said he appreciated the fans' response to his play and urged them to

pump the volume even more for the stretch drive.

"The fans will be there, we're sure," said backup goalie Patrick Lalime, who is expected to

get the start tonight ahead of Ryan Miller. "You hear so much about the fans in this city as

you get near the end of the year and the playoffs. We'll just try to play our best and win

some games."

Miller is expected to back up Lalime tonight before the Michigan native plays his

homecoming game Saturday in Detroit. Ruff generally doesn't reveal his goaltending choices and

first joked, "That's top secret," when asked Thursday. He acquiesced when asked if Lalime was

at least a possibility this weekend.

"I think it's a definite possibility," Ruff said. "Ryan has had a tough grind."

The numbers also show why Lalime is playing tonight. He's 2-3-1 in his career against

Minnesota with a 2.64 goals-against average. Against Detroit, he's 1-10, 4.85.

"I'm looking forward to it," Lalime said. "It's down the stretch for us now and a chance to

go back in there will be nice."

Lalime has gone winless in his last four starts (0-2-1, 4.57 GAA) and remains stuck at 199

career victories. But he was solid in his last start, the 3-2 loss March 2 at Pittsburgh that

opened the post-Olympic schedule, and has survived talk the Sabres might bring in another

backup.

"I want to do my best and win games," Lalime said. "It's why you play hockey. That's what I

try to bring every night. I'm not Ryan Miller. I'm just Patrick Lalime and I try to bring my

best."

The Sabres are also hoping to get center Paul Gaustad back this weekend or definitely by

next week's Southern swing. He's been out since injuring his hand in a fight in the March 2

game and skated in a contact role for the first time Thursday.

"Paul is skating well, starting to shoot well," Ruff said.

Said Gaustad: "I'm going to see how I feel [today]. This is the first day of contact so if

I'm sore, then no" to playing tonight.