<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0s0uAJ_0wPudZFW00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0s0uAJ_0wPudZFW00" width="1200" height="800" ><figcaption>Oct 12, 2024; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) tries to block a pass by Florida Panthers center Eetu Luostarinen (27) during the third period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h2>Game #10</h2>Buffalo Sabres (4-4-1) vs. Florida Panthers (6-3-1)Puck Drop: 7:00 PM EDT | KeyBank CenterTV: MSG-B, ESPN+<h2>Know Your Opponent</h2>Florida PanthersRecord: 6-3-1 | 13 PTSLast Game: 6-3 win against IslandersDivision Ranking: 1stPP: 15th, 20.0% (5/25 opps) [Sabres: 32nd, 3.9% (1/26 opps)]PK: 4th, 89.3% (25/28 killed) [Sabres: 16th, 77.8% (21/27 killed)]<h2>What to Watch</h2><h2>1. Stanley Cup Champions Return</h2>The Sabres were winless in their first three games to start the season when the defending champions came to Buffalo. Surprisingly enough at the time, Buffalo controlled the game and picked up their first victory of the season at the time. Tonight, the Sabres are on a three-game winning streak and have picked up points in five of their last six games. The Panthers are on a two-game winning run of their own and lead the division again. It’s still early days, but there are five teams in the division with four wins, so there’s quite a logjam developing already. <h2>2. Feeling Better Now?</h2>Buffalo took their time settling into the new season but some of the hallmarks of a Lindy Ruff team are starting to show. Despite some early injury woes and the non-existent second line, the Sabres are starting to stack up some points and looking like a competent hockey team. There’s still work to be done with tightening up the leaky defense and both goaltenders are still giving up lots of goals, but with the offense kicking into gear (at 5v5, no less), the signs are good.<h2>3. Raz’ Growing Influence</h2>It was so puzzling it had to be an anomaly. Rasmus Dahlin being an anonymous bystander on this roster to start the season was odd. He’d just been named team captain for the season and folks were starting to wonder if that was a mantle that was too heavy for the Swede to bear. There had been talk of a lingering injury and then the whole training spat with Peyton Krebs, and it all pointed to some off-ice issues that needed sorting out. Well, that appears to be a thing of the past now, as in the last couple of games or so we’re seeing the Dahlin that we’ve gotten used to. He’s starting to control the game more with the puck on his stick, and that is when he is at his absolute best. NB: Owen Power is dealing with an illness and might be out tonight. <h2>Projected Lineups</h2><h2>Buffalo Sabres</h2>ForwardsJJ Peterka – Tage Thompson – Alex TuchNicolas Aube-Kubel – Dylan Cozens – Jack QuinnJordan Greenway – Ryan McLeod – Jason ZuckerBeck Malenstyn – Peyton Krebs – Sam LaffertyDefenseRasmus Dahlin – Henri JokiharjuBowen Byram – Owen PowerMattias Samuelsson – Connor CliftonGoalies: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (projected starter), Devon Levi <h2>Florida Panthers</h2>ForwardsEvan Rodrigues – Aleksander Barkov – Sam ReinhartCarter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – Matthew TkachukEetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Jesper BoqvistA.J. Greer – Patrick Giles – Mackie SamoskevichDefenseGustav Forsling – Aaron EkbladNiko Mikkola – Dmitry KulikovUvis Balinskis – Nate SchmidtGoalies: Sergei Bobrovsky (projected starter), Spencer Knight </div></body>

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Game 10 Preview & Open Thread: Sabres vs. Panthers

Buffalo Sabres (4-4-1) vs. Florida Panthers (6-3-1) PP: 15th, 20.0% (5/25 opps) [Sabres: 32nd, 3.9% (1/26 opps)]. PK: 4th, 89.3% (25/28 killed) [Sabres: 16th, 77.8% (21/27 killed)]. What to Watch. 1. Stanley Cup Champions Return. The Sabres were winless in their first three games to start the season when the...