MINI-PREVIEW 8:15 AM EST

The Flyers (40-17-6) will look to snap their two-game losing streak today when they take to Wells Fargo Center ice to play the Buffalo Sabres (30-25-8) in a 1 PM matinee. This is the third of four meetings between the clubs. The Flyers won the first two games handily (6-3 and 5-2) but Philly was playing some its best hockey of the season at the two earlier games. The teams have not faced off since Jan. 11, and Philly has not been a very good hockey club since the All-Star break.

Buffalo has been a maddening team this season. Just when it seems like they are about to reel off a winning streak, they find ways to self-destruct. They are coming off a game against Carolina that was much like the Flyers' performance against Toronto. The Sabres take a pair of one-goal leads on tallies by Steve Montador and Brad Boyes. Twice they were unable to protect and/or add to the lead. Finally, Jamie McBain's goal at the 26 second mark of overtime sent the Sabres to a loss in a game they had never trailed.

Several key areas to watch for the Flyers today:

* Defensive coverages and turnovers. That was the team's biggest problem against Toronto, and Philly has been guilty of loose D far too often since the All-Star break.

* Special teams and discipline. The penalty kill is doing just fine. The power play has been abysmal but actually showed signs of progress in the puck movement against Toronto. Meanwhile, the Flyers need to do a much better job of staying out of the penalty box than they did against Toronto.

* Balanced scoring. The Flyers need to get more than one line at a time going. Kris Versteeg provided both Philadelphia goals against the Leafs, courtesy of Mike Richards. Prior to that, Claude Giroux and Jeff Carter (who missed the Toronto game with the flu) were carrying the offense. Meanwhile, the Danny Briere line came close to scoring several times against Toronto but their recent frustrations continued.

* Third period. The Flyers have been outscored 11-4 in the third period over their last seven games. Is it any wonder they have won just two of their last six games?

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