The Florida Panthers’ Road Trip
The Florida Panthers are set to continue their lengthy road trip following a significant victory against the Ottawa Senators. Their upcoming challenge is against the Buffalo Sabres, a team that has been on an impressive winning streak lately. The Panthers are keen on climbing the playoff rankings and currently find themselves in pursuit of the surprise Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres’ Comeback
Buffalo, which experienced a downturn with three consecutive losses in early December, has since staged an exceptional comeback. They clinched a remarkable 10 victories in a row at the end of 2022, and their recent record boasts an astonishing 13 wins against just one loss. Just a month ago, on December 8, the Sabres were at the bottom of their conference and trailing by four points from the next team, which included the Panthers and Senators. However, they have since skyrocketed in the standings, now occupying the top Wild Card position with 52 points after 43 games.
Panthers’ Roster Updates
On the other hand, the Panthers are still working to get key offensive players back into their lineup. Both Matthew Tkachuk and Brad Marchand are nearing their returns. Marchand is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury that has sidelined him for two games, while Tkachuk is recovering from surgeries related to a sports hernia and hip adductor. Following their game against the Sabres, the Panthers will have a brief hiatus, making it likely they could opt to rest both players for further recovery.
Current Roster
As the Panthers prepare for Monday’s matchup in Buffalo, here’s how their roster looks:
- Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Sam Reinhart
- Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – Brad Marchand
- Mackie Samoskevich – Evan Rodrigues – A.J. Greer
- Jesper Boqvist – Luke Kunin – Jack Studnicka
- Defensive Pairings: Gus Forsling – Aaron Ekblad, Niko Mikkola – Uvis Balinskis, Donovan Sebrango – Jeff Petry
Recent Performance
In recent news, the Panthers are also reflecting on their latest game, where special teams and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky played significant roles in securing their win against Ottawa. This comes on the heels of challenges earlier in the road trip.
Looking Ahead
As the Panthers head into this crucial game against the Sabres, they aim to capitalize on their recent momentum and address their playoff aspirations amid the competitive atmosphere.
