When the two teams meet on Friday night, the Panthers hope for a reversal of fortune.
"A lot of one-goal games for us," Panthers center Nick Bjugstad said after morning skate at BB&T Center. "A lot of games we feel like we could have won. I think that's what's frustrating. A lot of times when you're in these games, you feel like you have them. Whether it be a turnover, like I had the other night, or a bad bounce, you kind of create your own luck in this league."
Sitting at 1-1-1 in the midst of their season-long, eight-game homestand, the Panthers (9-10-4) know they could just as easily be 3-0-0. On Saturday night, they surrendered the game-tying goal to Chicago with 1.8 seconds left in regulation before losing in overtime. On Wednesday, it was Anaheim going up 3-2 with just 1:28 left in the third to shock Florida and steal two points.
After winning five in a row earlier this month, the Panthers have lost six of their last eight games.
"I think we need a rebound game, for sure," Panthers coach Bob Boughner said. "I think we're all disappointed. You look at this homestand, and we know how important it is. We're 1-1-1, but in my mind we could be 3-0. Obviously a second away in the Chicago game and a minute-and-half from going into overtime last game.
"I think we've been the better team for the majority of those three games, but that doesn't matter. It's points in the bank right now. They're all important. We have to find a way to start closing out games when we have leads. Hopefully that's a response we'll have tonight in this game."
With a two-point performance against the Ducks, winger Jonathan Huberdeau took over sole possession of Florida's scoring lead with 24 points (five goals, 19 assists) in 23 games. Since losing his center, Vincent Trocheck, to injury on Nov. 19, the 25-year-old has stepped up to fill that scoring void on the second line, posting one goal and six assists over the last three games.
"Huby's just sort of taken it upon himself," Boughner said. "He knows obviously there's no Troch on that line, so he knows he has to be the leader on that line and has to make that line go. I'll give him a lot of credit, he's done that in the last week or so."
An early-season surprise, the Sabres (17-7-2) currently sit in third place in the Atlantic Division after having their winning streak snapped in a 5-4 loss in Tampa on Thursday night. Offseason acquisition Jeff Skinner leads the team with 19 goals, while Jack Eichel has tallied 25 assists.
"They're a good team, there's no doubt about it," said Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who has tallied five goals over his last nine games. "They have a knack for scoring goals. Jeff Skinner has, I think, 19 goals. It's pretty unbelievable. He's a guy that we're going to definitely have to pay attention to tonight. They've got a lot of scoring threats."
Florida has won five straight against Buffalo, winning by a combined score of 19-9 in that span.
