Game #59
Buffalo Sabres (27-27-4) vs. Florida Panthers (38-16-4)
Puck Drop: 7:00 PM EST | Amerant Bank Arena | Sunrise, FL
TV: ESPN+, Hulu
Radio: WGR 550
Know Your Opponent
Florida Panthers
Record: 37-16-4 | 80 PTS
Last Game: 3-2 OT Win vs. Washington Capitals
Division Ranking: 2nd in Atlantic Division
PP: 5th (25.7%)
PK: 7th (82.6%)
What to Watch
1. Sam with the Florida Tan
Though it may pain Sabres fans to watch yet another former player continue to thrive on a different team, Sam Reinhart continues to dominate offensively for Florida. In 58 games, he has tallied an impressive 39 goals (the most on his team) and 28 assists. As of this past Saturday, the Canadian forward also leads his team in game-winning goals with nine…and he should absolutely be on our defense’s radar tonight.
2. Can They Make It…FOUR?
Sunday’s home game against a very good Carolina Hurricanes team was one for the 2023-2024 Sabres season record books. The boys earned their third win in a row for the first time this entire season and their first shootout win on the season as well. Can they make it four in a row against another very good team in the Panthers? It is possible – as long as the goaltending performs the same (the Sabres have let in the least amount of goals in the NHL since the New Year) and the offense steps up even more. Buffalo is 6-4-0 in their last 10 and has won their last five road games (tied for first in the NHL in this category). Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (assuming he is in net tonight) has the lowest GAA in the league since December 30th with 1.77. He shined during Sunday’s matchup and the offense was fun to watch. Additionally, Luukkonen has let in two goals or less in 11 of his last 14 starts and is 5-1-0 in his last six.
Next up: we really need a beautiful Tage Thompson goal.
3. Who Else is Hot?
The Sabres have relied heavily on Rasmus Dahlin this season, especially recently with the absence of Mattias Samuelsson and other various defensive injuries during the last few weeks. During each of his last six games, Dahlin has served over 29 minutes of ice time – an impressive streak and the longest one since Erik Karlsson in 2016.
In other news, the Panthers have the lowest goals against among both divisions in the eastern conference with 140. The Pittsburgh Penguins are second with 151 goals against. With only eight regulation losses on home ice this year, Florida will be a tough matchup tonight.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Jeff Skinner* – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch
Jordan Greenway – Casey Mittelstadt – Dylan Cozens
Zach Benson – Peyton Krebs – JJ Peterka
Eric Robinson – Zemgus Girgensons – Kyle Okposo
*Skinner left Monday’s practice with a potential injury. Tyson Jost has since been recalled from Rochester, but without a Tuesday morning practice, it is unconfirmed what the lines will look like for tonight.
Defense
Rasmus Dahlin – Henri Jokiharju
Jacob Bryson – Connor Clifton
Owen Power – Erik Johnson
Goaltenders: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (expected), Eric Comrie
Florida Panthers
Forwards*
Evan Rodrigues – Aleksander Barkov – Sam Reinhart
Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – Nick Cousins
Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Ryan Lomberg
Jonah Gadjovich – Steven Lorentz – Will Lockwood
*Matthew Tkachuk has been out with a minor injury for a few games, but has been participating in morning skates and is expected to return to the lineup tonight.
Defense
Gustav Forsling – Aaron Ekblad
Niko Mikkola – Brandon Montour
Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Dmitry Kulikov
Goaltenders: Anthony Stolarz, Sergei Bobrovsky (confirmed starter)