The Buffalo Sabres: The Mystery Of Florida

Tonight, the 11-16-2 Buffalo Sabres take on the 12-8-7 Florida Panthers in the First Niagara Center.

Dec 11, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Tyler Ennis (63) during the game against the Calgary Flames at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Winners of four straight at home and eight of the past 11, Buffalo is putting that streak to the test again tonight, hoping to change course against a team that has had Buffalo’s number. Five straight times, to be exact.

Owners of the number one draft pick in Aaron Ekblad, the Panthers have had much success against this Buffalo Sabres team, who have bested Buffalo twice already this season, 1-0 on October 17th and 3-2 just three games ago. Knocking off the Detroit Red Wings last night also lifts the emotion of this Florida Panthers squad. Ekblad has become a huge presence on the ice, on pace to have one of the best rookie seasons point-wise for defensemen, earning 18 points in his first 27 games. The one who tops that list? Former Sabre Phil Housley, with 66 points.

Jhonas Enroth gets his ninth start in ten games tonight, coming to no surprise to anyone. Over his three starts against the Panthers, Enroth owns a .97 goals against average and a .974 save percentage. During this stretch, he has averaged about .944 save percentage and a goals against of 1.93. Opposite him will likely be Al Montoya, who will replace Roberto Luongo, who played last night in Detroit.

A line that will be a force against the Panthers defense and goaltending is the current top line. Matt Moulson, Tyler Ennis and Zemgus Girgensons has been a producing line that proved just that, combining for three of the fours goals against the Calgary Flames. With this line blooming, this could be the difference maker when it comes to tonight against Florida. Girgensons will suit up tonight for his 100th game.

Cody Hodgson returns to the lineup tonight after being a healthy scratch last game. Off to a horrendous start, only scoring one goal and two assists through the first 28 games, head coach Ted Nolan decided that sitting Hodgson in the press box was for the best, trying to get him to earn his job back. He will be lined up tonight with Chris Stewart and Patrick Kaleta. Drew Stafford, since his return from injury, has had a goal and two assists in his three games back.

Andrej Meszaros also returns to the blue line tonight after missing a few games with an upper body injury. With Mike Weber going down with a knee surgery, Meszaros will likely fill that spot.

Another note, it looks as if Nikita Zadorov will remain in Buffalo after speculation had him leaving to join Russia for the upcoming World Junior Championships. Since getting time and not being scratched like in the start of the season, Zadorov has blossomed into a competent pairing for Rasmus Ristolainen. He has been earning top minutes, and has been adjusting greatly since he has been more consistent.

Speaking of minutes, Tyler Myers has averaged over 25 minutes a game. Which has been drawing a lot of attention. But that’s talk for another day.

Right now, the Florida Panthers sit one win outside of the second Wild Card spot. With a win, they will take possession of that spot, thanks to Ottawa defeating Boston. And thanks to the Boston loss earlier this afternoon, if Buffalo pulls a win out of tonights game, they will only be six points out of a wild card spot, a huge difference from where this team was earlier this season.