The set-up: The 24-25-6 Vancouver Canucks are coming off a 4-3 loss yesterday afternoon at Boston (Bruins got go-ahead goal win just under four minutes left), the team's fifth loss in its last six games. The Canucks stay on the road tonight in Buffalo, taking on the 23-22-10 Sabres, who won 3-1 Saturday at Toronto.

Vancouver: The Canucks have 54 points and are six points out of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. They surely aren't doing themselves any favors with their recent poor play. The team's only win in its last six was a surprising 3-0 shutout Thursday at Columbus over the Blue Jackets. "It's frustrating for sure," team captain Henrik Sedin said after the loss to Boston. "We're in a battle for a playoff spot and to have a chance to get two (points) would have been big for us. ... (Sunday) is a big game for us. Every game now, we know this road trip is huge and we need to put up some points. The teams around us are winning right now and that's tough to watch." If wishing could only make it so.

Buffalo: The Sabres will look to earn at least one point for the fifth time in seven games when they host the Canucks on Sunday. Buffalo is five points out of the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Sabres have shown positive signs in recent weeks but they still have plenty of ground to make up in the playoff race. Yes, the Sabres are five points out of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference but they are also just two points out of last place in the conference!

The pick: Vancouver goalie Ryan Miller returns to Buffalo but might not start against his former team after playing Saturday. The Canucks have won five of the last seven meetings between the two teams but are not palying well enough to back them here. When these teams net back on Oct. 20, the final was 2-1. That score sounds about right here. No interested in which team has the two. Make teh Under a 10* play.