The Florida Panthers hope to carry their current positive momentum into what's usually a difficult month for them when they open their November schedule at the Buffalo Sabres on Friday.

The Panthers (5-7-0) scored four times in the final period - including three goals on the power play - to beat Carolina 4-2 on Wednesday. Florida has converted 6-of-11 power-play chances in its last two games after going 3-for-26 with the man advantage over its previous five contests.

"We've finished the month 5-7," coach Jacques Martin told the Panthers' official Web site. "If we win these next two games we'll be back to .500 and right in the thick of things."

Winning in November hasn't been easy for Florida, though. The Panthers have won just four of 26 games in the last two Novembers, including only one of 13 on the road.

The road has been tough on Florida already this season, as it has dropped three straight away from Bank Atlantic Center to fall to 1-5-0. The Panthers have also lost in their last three road trips to Buffalo, where they are 6-16-2 with three ties all-time.

Florida has also already fallen to the Sabres at home this season, surrendering three third-period goals in a 4-2 defeat last Friday.

Panthers captain Olli Jokinen had a goal and two assists versus Carolina on Wednesday, giving him five goals in his last four games. Jokinen was held without a point in last Friday's loss to the Sabres.

Nathan Horton added a goal and an assist against the Hurricanes, giving him five goals and five assists on the season. He has two goals and three assists in his last four games against Buffalo.

Goaltender Tomas Vokoun had 28 saves on Wednesday after allowing eight goals while losing his last two starts. He is 1-3-0 with a 3.45 goals-against average on the road this season, allowing at least four goals in three of those games.

Vokoun, who took the loss against the Sabres last Friday, is 3-2-0 with one tie and a 2.12 GAA all-time against them.

Buffalo (5-5-1) lost 4-3 in overtime at Boston on Thursday to finish its five-game road trip with a 2-2-1 mark. The Sabres, who finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference last season, did not lose their sixth game of 2006-07 until Dec. 2.

The Sabres scored twice on the power play Thursday, including Paul Gaustad's game-tying tally with 11:42 remaining in regulation.

"It seemed like it took a while until we got going," defenseman Brian Campbell said.

Ryan Miller stopped 20 shots, and made 33 saves in the win over the Panthers last Friday. He is 3-3-0 with a 2.35 GAA all-time against Florida. Veteran backup goalie Jocelyn Thibault is 13-7-1 with a tie and a 2.31 GAA lifetime versus the Panthers.