Sabres @ Panthers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Buffalo Sabres (17-7-2)

@ Florida Panthers (9-10-4)

Starting Goalies:

Carter Hutton (BUF): Unconfirmed

James Reimer (FLA): Confirmed

Current odds:

Buffalo Sabres: (+145)

Florida Panthers: (-165)

• The Buffalo Sabres finally saw their franchise record-tying win streak come to an end and will not have to wait long to try to start a new run as they visit the Florida Panthers on Friday night. Buffalo coughed up a one-goal lead in the third period and suffered a 5-4 setback at Tampa Bay on Thursday after stringing 10 straight victories together – seven of them coming after regulation. One day after seeing their historic run end, the Sabres will try to snap another streak as Florida has won the last five meetings while allowing only seven total goals in the process.

• The Panthers could use a boost after losing six of their last eight contests (2-5-1), including Wednesday’s 3-2 setback against Anaheim in which they led by a goal midway through the game and gave up the winner with 1:28 left. “It is frustrating. These kinds of games, we’ve got to at least get a point,” Florida left wing Jonathan Huberdeau told reporters. “We can’t get scored on late like that. You’ve got to battle through it the whole 60.”

• Captain Jack Eichel posted a pair of assists Thursday to push his team-leading total to 30 points, but linemate Jeff Skinner (team-best 19 goals) was limited to one shot and did not score for the first time in five games. Power forward Tage Thompson, acquired from St. Louis in the Ryan O’Reilly trade, scored Thursday and has four goals to go along with an assist in the last six games after registering one point in his first 13 contests. Top-pair defenseman Jake McCabe left the game in Tampa Bay with an undisclosed injury and his status for Friday is uncertain.

• Huberdeau has taken over the team scoring lead with 24 points after scoring once and setting up six others in the last three games while Mike Hoffman scored two of his team-high 12 goals in the last four contests. Right wing Evgenii Dadonov is tied with Hoffman for second on the team with 23 points after posting four in the past three games and captain Aleksander Barkov is next with 21. James Reimer (4-6-2, .894 save percentage) is expected in net for a fourth straight game, but veteran Roberto Luongo (knee) could return as early as Saturday against Tampa Bay.

• Florida D Keith Yandle is second on the team with 17 assists and is two from 400 for his career.

• Buffalo D Rasmus Ristolainen recorded his fifth assist in six games Thursday and logged a season-high 28:52 of ice time.

• Panthers F Denis Malgin (upper body) has missed the last two games and is questionable for Friday.