Buffalo (23-17-5) at Florida (21-16-7), 7:30 p.m. EST
SUNRISE, Florida (Ticker) -- The Florida Panthers have a good
opportunity to punctuate a surprisingly successful first half of
the season.
Seeking their sixth win in eight tries, the Panthers open a
four-game homestand against the Buffalo Sabres on Monday.
Despite losing captain Olli Jokinen to an offseason trade with
the Phoenix Coyotes, Florida has found a way to keep itself in
the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The Panthers complete
their first portion of the season against Dallas on Wednesday.
All-Star Jay Bouwmeester scored for the fourth straight game and
completed a three-goal, third-period surge as the Panthers beat
the Tampa Bay Lightning, 4-3, on Saturday. Bouwmeester's 10
goals on the season have come in the last 24 games.
The Sabres are looking to extend to their winning streak to
three games after posting a 3-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes
on Saturday.
Tim Connolly had two goals, Teppo Numminen also tallied and
Thomas Vanek notched a pair of assists in support of Ryan
Miller, who made 26 saves against Carolina.
Miller is one win away from tying Martin Biron's 134 victories
for third all-time on the Sabres' win list for goaltenders.