The Florida Panthers will face the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, March 8th. Let’s dive into the details of this matchup.

Sabres in a Slump

The Buffalo Sabres are struggling, having lost their last six games. Their most recent loss came against the Tampa Bay Lightning, where they fell 6-5. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s performance in net was subpar, allowing six goals on just 26 shots. Buffalo’s offense is ranked 11th, averaging 3.2 goals per game, but their defense is a major concern, ranking 30th in the league by giving up an average of 3.5 goals per game.

Brad Marchand Joins Florida

Florida made waves at the trade deadline by acquiring Brad Marchand, although his participation in this game is uncertain due to the quick turnaround. The Panthers recently won 3-0 against the Columbus Blue Jackets, with Sergei Bobrovsky earning a perfect game, saving all 16 shots he faced. Florida’s offense is ranked 8th, averaging 3.3 goals per game, while their defense ranks 9th, allowing just 2.7 goals per game.

Why Florida Will Prevail

Florida has been dominant at home, winning 9 of their last 10 games at Amerant Bank Arena. In contrast, Buffalo has struggled on the road, losing 7 of their last 8 games. The Panthers have also performed well against teams on losing streaks, covering the puck line in 7 of their last 9 night games in such matchups.

Prediction

This game could get out of hand quickly for the Sabres, as Florida’s solid defense and goaltending will likely prevent Buffalo from finding much offense. Expect the Panthers to cruise to a comfortable victory. For betting purposes, Florida is the safe pick on the puck line.