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TORONTO -- Showing that life in the NHL isnt always about five-star hotels or designer suits, Leafs coach Randy Carlyle found himself in a Swiss Chalet in Parry Sound, Ont., on Boxing Day. And while his players were with family and friends, likely away from the limelight, Carlyle was hard to miss among those ordering a quarter-chicken dinner. "Some fan walks by and says Hey Carlyle, you better get those Leafs going," Carlyle said Friday with a smile. "Everybody in the Swiss Chalet knew I was there so I guess I didnt get away from it (hockey)." For his players, hockey had been on the backburner, at least for a day or two. "It was nice to have a break, physically and mentally," winger Joffrey Lupul said ahead of Friday nights game against the visiting Buffalo Sabres. "It (December) was a tough month for us, record-wise and just schedule, travel-wise. So hopefully a couple of days rest is what we needed and we are able to put together some wins here." "Christmas break, you kind of recharge and refuel and re-energize and get ready to push through to the finish," said captain Dion Phaneuf. "Everybody came back rested, got to spend some time with their families and friends over the holidays and thats what its about," he added. "Now were back to work tonight and weve got to focus on getting our game back to where we want it to be." The Leafs (18-16-5) are coming off shootout losses to the Rangers and Red Wings. Toronto has just one regulation win in its last 18 outings (5-9-4). The Sabres desperately needed the break. A bout of flu meant interim coach Ted Nolan was able to dress just 16 players Monday against Phoenix. Having their Rochester Americans farm team in Switzerland at the Spengler Cup didnt help matters. "They look a lot better today, so thats good," Nolan said Friday of his Sabres." Centre Cody Hodgson, sidelined after blocking a shot, is still not ready to return, however. The goalie matchup Friday appeared to be Jonathan Bernier for the Leafs against Ryan Miller of the Sabres. Carlyle said the Christmas break seemed to have been worthwhile, pointing to the energy he saw from his team in the morning skate. "We all felt pretty good out there this morning," defenceman Cody Franson concurred. "It was nice to have a couple of days (off)." Still, as Swiss Chalet showed, its hard to hide from hockey. "But you never really truly forget about it because its always in the back of your mind to some degree," Carlyle said. "We just hope we can take some of that energy that we had this morning and transfer it into tonights hockey game. "These games are a different games, Im going to tell you. You never know what youre going to get off of three days (rest) and one morning skate. Im sure all the coaches in the leagues are saying the same thing." At 10-24-3, the Sabres sit at the bottom of the NHL. But they are on a mini-streak, having won three of their last four and have gone 4-4-2 in their last 10 games. Toronto is 3-5-2 over the same period. Luck may also be finally on the Sabres side. Buffalo won last time out via a bizarre overtime goal against Phoenix that saw the puck fly into the air and land in the back of Coyotes goalie Mike Smiths pants. An unknowing Smith slid backwards into the goal, taking the puck with him for a 2-1 Buffalo win Monday. There could be more mayhem in front of goal Friday, with six-foot-eight, 259-pound tough guy John Scott expected to see time on the power play in front of the Toronto net. The big man had 199 career NHL games under his belt going into Friday night. At the other end, the Leafs will likely need a plan of their own against a hot goalie. Miller is 4-1-0 in last five starts, with a 1.56 goals against average and .952 save percentage. He has not allowed a third-period goal during that run. He is also 2-0 against the Leafs this season and 31-15-1 overall against Toronto. Carlyle had not lost his sense of humour over the Christmas break. Did you miss us, was his first question from the media after the morning skate. "No I cant say I missed you," he replied to laughter. "I just didnt think about you." The media were back in their numbers Friday. Leafs TV, the teams house channel, had six people in the arena seats talking on TV during the skate. Tyler Johnson Jersey . Louis Cardinals on Sunday afternoon; a brief, poor outing that served to highlight two trends that have developed this season. Dwyane Wade Jersey . 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Kendrick allowed only three hits in seven scoreless innings, Carlos Ruiz homered and drove in two runs, and the Philadelphia Phillies shut out the struggling Atlanta Braves 4-0 on Tuesday night. "That was his best game by far," said Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg of Kendrick, who began the night with a 4.97 ERA. One day after Cole Hamels and three relievers threw the first combined no-hitter in Phillies history, Kendrick (8-11) and relievers Ken Giles and Antonio Bastardo were dominant in the three-hit shutout. The Braves, determined to bounce back from the no-hitter, began taking batting practice before the game with rain still coming down on Turner Field. Kendrick said that was a sure sign Atlantas hitters would have aggressive at-bats. Kendricks strategy was to get ahead in counts, including in a key strikeout of Evan Gattis with the bases loaded in the first inning. "Hes pretty aggressive," Kendrick said. "I was trying not to miss over the plate." Gattis struck out while chasing a pitch in the dirt. Kendrick then struck out Chris Johnson to end the inning. The Braves, who began the night 1 1/2 games behind the NL wild-card leaders, have lost three of four. Each of the three losses was a shutout. "Were a talented club offensively," said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez. "A very talented club. We can put up numbers offensively. And to get shut out back to back days and three out of four days and only score one run ... its mind-boggling." The Braves havent scored in 24 consecutive innings. Their only run in their last 36 innings was a homer by Evan Gattis in a 1-0 win over the Marlins on Sunday. "Its not real pretty to watch right now," Gonzalez said. Jason Heyward had two doubles. Atlantas only other hit was a third-inning single by Andrelton Simmons. Bastardo struck out the side in the nninth.dddddddddddd Kendrick, who began the night with a 4.97 ERA, had four strikeouts and two walks while winning his third straight start. It was his first start without allowing a run since throwing 6 2-3 scoreless innings in a 9-0 win over Colorado on May 26. Ruiz led off the fifth with line-drive homer into the left-field seats off Mike Minor (6-9). Darrin Rufs run-scoring single in the sixth drove in Ben Revere for a 2-0 lead. Ruiz doubled in a run in the eighth. Minor allowed three runs on seven hits in 7 1-3 innings. Ben Revere led off the sixth with his second single. He quickly advanced on his second stolen base of the game and, with two outs, moved to third on a wild pitch. Ruf drove in Revere with a single to right field for a 2-0 lead. Upton left the game in the sixth inning with bruised left triceps. Ryan Doumit took over in left field. Upton, who leads the team with 26 homers and 91 RBIs, was hit by a pitch from Kendrick on the left arm in the first inning. The Braves said Uptons status is day to day. DEBUT FOR FRANCO Phillies third baseman Mikael Franco was 0-for-3 with a RBI in his much-anticipated major league debut. His fly ball to centre field in the eighth drove in Ruf. "A real nice at-bat," Sandberg said. THIS IS OUR TOWN The Phillies are only 7-8 against the Braves, but they are 6-2 in Atlanta and on Wednesday will try to complete their second three-game sweep of the season at Turner Field. The Phillies won three straight in Atlanta June 16-18. TRAINERS ROOM Philadelphia: RHP Mike Adams was activated off the 60-day disabled list. He had been out since June 8 with right rotator cuff inflammation. Atlanta: RHP Kris Medlen threw for the first time since having right elbow ligament-replacement surgery in spring training. UP NEXT Philadelphia: RHP David Buchanan (6-7), who is 0-2 in his last four starts, will look for his first win against the Braves. 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