GAME: Buffalo Sabres (6-3-0) at New Jersey Devils (4-5-0).

TIME: Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT.

The New Jersey Devils will likely be without goaltender Martin Brodeur when they host the Buffalo Sabres.

The two-time Vezina Trophy winner was injured Wednesday in New Jersey's 6-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He left the game with 6:50 remaining in the third period after catching his right leg on the post and falling to the ice. Backup Scott Clemmensen replaced Brodeur in goal.

"My skate got caught and I twisted it," said Brodeur, who made 30 saves before getting hurt. "I heard it twist and I couldn't get up. All my body weight fell on it."

Brodeur has a sprained knee, but is not expected to miss an extended period of time. An MRI showed no damage to Brodeur's knee, Devils president Lou Lamoriello said Thursday. Brodeur's status is day-to-day.

The team recalled goaltender Ari Ahonen from Albany on Thursday as insurance.

Even before suffering the injury, Brodeur had not been his dominant self. The veteran is 4-5-0 with an .883 save percentage and a 3.61 goals-against average in nine starts. Brodeur has a 2.19 GAA in 749 career games.

New Jersey, usually one of the league's best defensive teams, has allowed 10 goals in losing its last two games.

Buffalo, meanwhile, has been getting strong goaltending from Ryan Miller.

Miller, 6-3-0 with a 2.74 GAA, is tied for third in the league in wins and has seized the No. 1 job away from Martin Biron.

"Goaltending is the most important position in the game," Sabres defenseman Jay McKee said. "For a team to be successful, to make the playoffs, you've got to have solid goaltending all year long, and we've been getting that."

Miller gave up three goals on 28 shots in Buffalo's 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.

"We can chalk (the loss) up to a bad night," Miller said.

Ales Kotalik and Jochen Hecht scored for the Sabres, who failed to win their third straight.

Buffalo center Daniel Briere has points in five consecutive games. He had goals in four in a row before he was limited to one assist in Wednesday's loss.

STANDINGS: Sabres - 12 points, 3rd place (tied), 3 PB, Northeast Division. Devils - 8 points, 4th place, 5 PB, Atlantic Division.

TEAM LEADERS: Sabres - Briere, 7 goals and 10 points; Thomas Vanek, 7 assists; Hecht, 12 PIM. Devils - Brian Gionta and Sergei Brylin, 5 goals; Scott Gomez, 6 assists; Gionta, 10 points; Dan McGillis, 16 PIM.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Sabres - Power play: 15.6 percent (10 for 64), 19th. Penalty killing: 83.7 percent (36 for 43), 13th (tied). Devils - Power play: 18.5 percent (10 for 54), 12th (tied). Penalty killing: 84.2 percent (48 for 57), 9th.

GOALTENDERS: Sabres - Miller (6-3-0, 0 SO, 2.74 GAA); Biron (no appearances). Devils - Brodeur (4-5-0, 3.61); Clemmensen (0-0-0, 6.67); Ahonen (no appearances).

2003-2004 SEASON SERIES: Devils, 3-0-1.

LAST MEETING: Feb. 25, 2004. Devils, 8-2. At East Rutherford, N.J., Patrik Elias had two goals and three assists to lead the Devils to the rout.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Sabres - 2-2-0 on the road; Devils - 3-2-0 at home.