SABRES (3-5-1) at FLYERS (3-4-1)

TV: Versus, TSN2.

Season Series: This is the first of four meetings between the teams this season. After losing the first matchup last season, the Sabres went on to win the last three, which included a pair of one-goal victories.

Big Story: Both teams are off to sluggish starts this season and enter Tuesday's action below the .500 mark. Another subpar effort by the Flyers on Monday led to a 2-1 loss at Columbus. Buffalo, meanwhile, resides in fourth place in the Northeast Division.

Team Scope:

Sabres: Buffalo is in search of back-to-back victories after trouncing the New Jersey Devils 6-1 at the Prudential Center on Saturday. Thomas Vanek scored twice for the Sabres, while Ryan Miller made 26 saves.

"We've played pretty good hockey on the road and we've made some big mistakes and played a couple of real bad games at home," said coach Lindy Ruff, whose team dropped a 4-2 decision to Ottawa at home on Friday night.

Flyers: Philadelphia coach Peter Laviolette was furious following Monday's loss to the Blue Jackets. The Flyers were held off the scoreboard until Ville Leino found the back of the net with 5:01 remaining in the third period. After a lackluster 40 minutes, Philly outshot Columbus 12-4 in the third, but it wasn't enough.

"It's completely frustrating," Laviolette said after his team lost for the fifth time in five games. "We got exactly what we deserved tonight. You don't show up to compete, you don't execute, you don't play the game with energy and emotion, you're going to lose all the time.

"The first 40 minutes there was nothing there. "There was no jam to our game. We played mindless hockey without any energy, without any passion."

Who's Hot: Derek Roy leads the Sabres with 9 points (5 goals, 4 assists), while Miller has a 2.27 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage. … Leino's goal on Monday was just his second of the season, but he is now tied for the team lead in points with six.

Injury Report: Sabres defenseman Craig Rivet (shoulder) is day-to-day, while Jason Pominville (concussion) hopes to resume skating this week. Shaone Morrisonn (groin) is also out. … Flyers goalie Michael Leighton hopes to return next month after undergoing back surgery. Matt Walker (hip) isn't expected back until December.

Stat Pack: The Sabres are 0-4-1 in HSBC Arena and just completed only the third winless October at home in their 40 NHL seasons. … Flyers defenseman Sean O'Donnell played in his 1,100th NHL game on Monday night.

Puck Drop: "We were just too late to win a hockey game … it doesn't matter what team it's against. No emotion, no energy … we just couldn't get it going. Nobody could get it going. You can't win a hockey game like that." -- Flyers forward Ville Leino after Monday's 2-1 loss at Columbus (nhl.com)