The Florida Panthers will face the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Arena today in an exciting matchup that promises to be a compelling contest. Both teams are looking to improve their standings as the Panthers hold a record of 3-3-0, while the Sabres are struggling at 1-3-0.
The Panthers, coming off a challenging series of games, did not practice following a recent 4-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings and a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the New Jersey Devils. Their projected lineup includes Mackie Samoskevich alongside Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand on the first line. Other notable forwards include Eetu Luostarinen, Anton Lundell, and Sam Reinhart, while their defensive pair features Gustav Forsling and Aaron Ekblad. Injuries are a concern for the Panthers with key players Matthew Tkachuk (lower body), Tomas Nosek (knee), and Dmitry Kulikov (upper body) sidelined.
On the opposing side, the Sabres will look to recover with a potentially stronger lineup, which sees Zach Benson, Jiri Kulich, and Tage Thompson at the forefront. They welcome back defenseman Mattias Samuelsson from an undisclosed injury, which could bolster their lineup. The Sabres have also made some roster adjustments, recalling Zach Metsa from the AHL to provide depth in defense.
This matchup is crucial for both teams as they seek to gain momentum early in the season. Each side has faced their share of challenges, making today’s game a pivotal opportunity for both the Panthers and Sabres to recalibrate and strive for a much-needed victory.