Johnson expected to start in season finale vs. Panthers

SUNRISE, Fla. - Depending on the way things play out elsewhere around the league, the Buffalo Sabres might just have a chance to play spoiler in their season finale against the Florida Panthers at BB&T Center on Saturday night.
The Panthers' playoff hopes rest on the result of the game being played between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers, which will end before the puck drops in Florida. The Flyers would clinch the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference with a victory.
The result in that game might also dictate the Sabres' plans. Phil Housley said he expects to go with Chad Johnson in net for the fourth-straight game but left the door open for Adam Wilcox to make his NHL debut against his former organization, if even for a period.

Wilcox has served as Johnson's backup for the past four games after appearing in 28 games for the Rochester Americans this season. He previously played 13 games for Florida's AHL affiliate in Springfield.
"There would be a lot of things that go into play," Housley said. "How Philly does, obviously. If they win the game, there could be some decisions at that point. And then how this game goes forward here. Hopefully we don't have to make a change but obviously there's something to think about."
Johnson allowed six goals on 33 shots in a loss to Tampa Bay on Friday, but Housley said the goaltender earned one last start with his overall body of work this season.
"I think Chad has given us some really good hockey games," he said. "Obviously, the last couple he's been a little off, but I think he needs to get back in net. He's proven that he's had some really good games. We'll see where the game brings us."
Josh Gorges will step into the lineup on defense in place of Justin Falk. The rest of the lineup will remain the same from the game in Tampa.
The Sabres erased three deficits in that game against the Lightning, which saw forwards Casey Mittelstadt and Alex Nylander both score their first NHL goals. They lost the game on pair of quick third-period goals, which Housley attributed to missed defensive coverage.
"I think it's a challenge for us going into this game because I thought we played a heck of a game in Tampa and it just goes back to details and playing in our own end and having the respect back there," he said.
"We totally got away from that [in the third period]. You look at the goals, they're just coverage and picking up and trying to cheat to offense. And that's what happens against good teams."
Coverage on MSG-B begins at 6:30 p.m., or you can listen live on WGR 550. Puck drop is scheduled for 7.

Sabres mourn Humboldt tragedy

Even as the final game of their season approached, the thoughts of the Sabres were with the rest of the hockey world on Saturday in the wake of an accident that occurred Friday involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team, which claimed 14 lives and left others injured.
"It's every parent's worst nightmare," Housley said. "My heart goes out to those people in Humboldt, the families, the community. I had my own son who played in Spooner, Wisconsin - he was on the bus for 11 hours - who had friends who come from that area.
"It's one of those things. You're riding the bus, you're free of life, everything. You just feel like you're protected and then something like this happens. It's totally unfortunate and it's devastating."