Buffalo, NY (My Sportsbook) - The
Florida Panthers try to halt a four-game winless streak tonight when they visit the
Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena.
Florida is 0-2-2 during the skid, on the heels of a two-game winning streak. Wednesday against Toronto the Cats capped off a four-game homestand with a 2-2 tie, as Jaroslav Bednar's goal 2:52 into the third period finished as the equalizer. Rookie defenseman Jay Bouwmeester added a goal for the Panthers, while netminder Roberto Luongo finished with 29 saves.
The Panthers rallied from a 2-0 deficit to salvage the cherished point, but fired at an 0-for-6 power-play clip on the night. That includes 1:44 of a 4- on-3 advantage in overtime that the Cats were unable to capitalize on. For the season, Mike Keenan's troops are in the middle of the pack with a 25-for-149 clip on the man advantage (16.8 percent).
Florida, 2-0-2 in its last four road outings, will visit Boston on Saturday. The Panthers then host Nashville on Monday before the NHL's Christmas break.
Buffalo, meanwhile, hopes to build on Wednesday's 4-2 victory over Boston, which snapped the Sabres' three-game winless streak. Chris Gratton notched a goal and three assists, and J.P. Dumont added a score and two helpers to lead Buffalo to a 4-2 win at HSBC Arena. Taylor Pyatt and Stu Barnes also scored and Tim Connolly contributed two assists for the Sabres, who are 4-2-1 in their last seven. Martin Biron stopped 27-of-29 shots to help Buffalo snap a three-game losing streak against Boston.
Gratton, who tied a career high with four points Wednesday, leads the Sabres with 25 points, and is second to winger Miroslav Satan with nine goals. The centerman's 18 points (7g, 11a) at home also pace the club.
The Sabres still sit last in the Northeast Division with 22 points, and they'll stay there for a while. Lindy Ruff's club trails fourth-place Toronto by 13, and is 20 points off the lead pace, which is currently set by Boston and Ottawa.
Buffalo, 6-7-3 on home ice, will visit Montreal on Saturday before heading to Pittsburgh on Monday.
The Sabres and Panthers split four games last season, but Buffalo has won six of the last nine meetings overall. Florida has dropped three of its last four at HSBC Arena.
