Sabres Losing Streak Extends to Four

COLUMBUS (WIVB) - For the first time this season, the Sabres are riding a four game losing streak.  An uninspired effort in Columbus led to a 4-0 loss.  Buffalo has now won just two of their last ten games.

They did hang onto their lead in the Northeast Division, because Ottawa lost at Toronto.  The Sabres continue to lead the Senators by one point.

Patrick Lalime took the loss, starting in place of Ryan Miller.  He was again denied his 200th career victory.  Lalime was a victim on the Blue Jackets first goal.  Milan Jurcina's shoot in bounced off the side glass, went right to the goal and trickled in off Lalime's skate.  It was Jurcina's first goal in 87 games.

Columbus made it 2-0 in the second when Rick Nash scored a power play goal.  That came after the Sabres killed a four-minute penalty against Craig Rivet, then a brief two-man Blue Jackets advantage after a Toni Lydman call.  After Rivet's penalty ended, Nash scored on a diving shot in front of Lalime.

Columbus added two more goals in the third, on scores by Anton Stralman and Raffi Torres.

Steve Mason made 28 saves for the shutout. Lalime made 21 saves in his first appearance since giving up four first period goals in Anaheim on January 19th.

The Sabres host Boston on Tuesday.