[1:08 PM] Panthers @ Sabres

Who will WIN this matchup?

Florida Panthers (3-3-1)

@ Buffalo Sabres (1-3-2)

 

Starting Goalies:

Roberto Luongo (FLA): Unconfirmed

Anders Nilsson (BUF): Confirmed

 

Current odds:

Florida Panthers: (-140)

Buffalo Sabres: (+120)

 

• The Buffalo Sabres hope to become a factor in the playoff race this season and that quest must include a better record on home ice. The Sabres have not had a winning record at home in a season since 2012-13 and dropped their first two contests at the KeyBank Center in 2016-17 going into Saturday’s Atlantic Division clash with the visiting Florida Panthers.

• The Panthers are 1-3-1 in their last five outings, including a pair of 3-2 losses to start a four-game road trip at Pittsburgh and Toronto, despite a hot start from newcomer Jonathan Marchessault (five goals, 10 points).

• Eight of Florida’s 20 goals have come from the top line of Marchessault, veteran Jaromir Jagr (one) and Aleksander Barkov (two) while the depth up front continues to be tested with Jussi Jokinen (knee) out for as much as two more weeks.

• Buffalo has managed only three goals in the first period this season and stand near the bottom of the league with 14 overall – seven coming from captain Ryan O’Reilly (three) and Matt Moulson (all four on the power play).

• Florida G Roberto Luongo is 17-7-0 with a .936 save percentage and five shutouts in 27 career games against the Sabres.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Florida Panthers

Confidence: 5/10

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