Buffalo takes on the defending champions in a playoff contention four-pointer

Buffalo Sabres (31-17-5) at Florida Panthers (28-23-3)

Puck Drop: 7:00 pm ET | Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise FL

TV: MSG-B, ESPN+

Radio: WGR 550, Sirius XM (app)

Know Your Opponent

Florida Panthers

Record: 28-23-3 | 59 PTS

Last Game: 2-1 defeat against Winnipeg Jets; 5-5-0 in last ten games

Division Ranking: 6th, Atlantic

PP: 22nd, 18.4% (36/196) [Sabres: 18th, 19.6% (31/158)]

PK: 7th, 82.9% (155/187) [Sabres: 8th, 82.8% (120/145)]

What to Watch

1. Wounded Cats

The defending champions are struggling, and in an ultracompetitive Atlantic Division they risk the possible ignominy of not even making the postseason. Losing to the Sabres in a playoff four-pointer will not end their season, but certainly go a long way towards pushing them further down that slippery slope.

Expect their intensity to match that desperation tonight.

2. Defensive Depth

Both teams have suffered from injuries this season, especially to key players. The Panthers have lost Seth Jones and Dmitry Kulikov on the blue line and have been forced into giving Jeff Petry and Uvis Balinskis a lot more time than they should be playing. Lindy Ruff’s hesitation in giving Jacob Bryson and Zach Metza key minutes has put on a lot more pressure and the risk of fatigue on the top four dmen.

This one might come down to which third defensive pair steps up tonight.

3. Goalies In Focus

The Panthers are not getting a lot from their goaltenders, but a lot of that has to do with the defense in front of them. Starter Sergei Bobrovsky is 20-16-1, .875 sv% & 3.05 GAA while Daniil Tarasov is much better at 8-7-2, .904 sv% and 2.67 GAA.

The Sabres have Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen injured now, but Alex Lyon has done admirably going 13-7-3, .913 sv% and 2.64 GAA, with Colten Ellis at 7-4-0, .898 sv% and 3.05 GAA. Ruff will have to decide which goalie works with which matchup with back-to-back games against the Panthers and the Lightning.

The series is tied 1-1 with the two teams splitting the two games in Buffalo. The next two games are both in Sunrise and bookend the Olympics break.

Projected Lineups

Buffalo Sabres

Forwards

Zach Benson – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch
Jason Zucker – Ryan McLeod – Jack Quinn
Josh Doan – Noah Ostlund – Konsta Helenius
Tyson Kozak – Peyton Krebs – Beck Malenstyn

Defense

Mattias Samuelsson – Rasmus Dahlin
Bowen Byram – Owen Power
Zach Metsa – Michael Kesselring

Goaltenders

Alex Lyon, Colten Ellis (projected starter)

Florida Panthers

Forwards

Eetu Luostarinen – Evan Rodrigues – Sam Reinhart
Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk
Sandis Vilmanis – Cole Schwindt – A.J. Greer
Jesper Boqvist – Luke Kunin – Mackie Samoskevich

Defense

Gustav Forsling – Aaron Ekblad
Niko Mikkola – Uvis Balinskis
Tobias Bjornfot – Jeff Petry

Goaltenders

Sergei Bobrovsky (projected starter), Daniil Tarasov