Florida: 3-2-0 (6PTS)
Buffalo: 4-1-0 (8PTS)
Season Series: 0-0-0
Game Time: 7:30 PM EDT
Television: Fox Sports Florida, MSG
Radio: 560 WQAM
The revamped Panthers meet the revamped Sabres for the first time this season. While the Sabres didn’t make as many changes as the Panthers this off-season, new owner Terry Pegula showed he is not afraid to spend money, going after high priced free agents including Christian Ehrhoff and putting the team up against the cap. Buffalo has had a good start, winning both of their European games in the NHL Premiere, followed by two of their next three. The Panthers are coming off of a 3-0 shutout in Washington on Tuesday, while the Sabres won Tuesday night in Montreal 3-1.
More from our Buffalo cohorts at Die By The Blade.
Sabres vs Panthers coverage coverage at SB Nation.
TSN preview.
LBC Game Thread will open 30 minutes prior to puck drop.
News and Notes
Last meeting
The Sabres beat the Panthers 4-2 in the middle of the Panthers’ post-trade deadline slide. Former Panther Jordan Leopold got the game winner and Ryan Miller the win.
Last game
Former Panther Tomas Vokoun blanked the Cats in a 3-0 shutout in Washington. Jacob Markstrom got his first NHL start in the loss, and by all accounts handled himself well. Keaton Ellerby saw his first game action this season, in as seventh defenseman in place of forward Sean Bergenheim, who was dealing with some soreness after the game against the Lightning on Monday.
Lineup
Injuries
- G Scott Clemmensen (knee), 9/26, 3-8 weeks
- F Mike Santorelli (shoulder), 9/27, 2 weeks
Possible Scratches
- D Keaton Ellerby (healthy)
- F Shawn Matthias (sick, game time decision)
- F Mike Santorelli (shoulder, game time decision)
- F Sean Bergenheim (soreness, game time decisision)
Starting goaltenders:
The Cats will most likely start Jose Theodore tonight, while the Sabres will probably start Ryan Miller.
Lines
Forwards
- Fleischmann-Weiss-Versteeg
- Booth-Kopecky-Upshall
- Bergenheim/Matthias/Kennedy?-Goc-Skille
- Bradley-Matthias/Santorelli/Reinprecht?-Carter
Defense
- Campbell-Garrison
- Jovanovski-Gudbranson
- Kulikov-Weaver
UPDATE (11:26): Possible Shawn Matthias and Sean Bergenheim scratches tonight. George Richards reporting Matthias missing from skate and Bergenheim left early. Santorelli skating. No information from the team yet.
UPDATE (1:03): Per the team twitter account, the Panthers have recalled C Steven Reinprecht and LW Tim Kennedy from San Antonio.
UPDATE (3:00): Per George Richards at the Miami Herald, the Panthers have called up C Bracken Kearns, not Steve Reinprecht. Bergenheim and Matthias are still game time decisions.