On the final installment of the “Games to Watch” series, Zach reveals why he’s looking forward to the Buffalo Sabres matchup vs. the Panthers in April.
We have reached the end of my new miniseries. I have told you one game to watch for in each month of the regular season. For the final game I’m looking forward to, it will be the second-to-last game of the season against the Florida Panthers in April.
Going back to last year, Buffalo and Florida played in a couple of meaningful games. Both games were in Sunrise, one in February, and one in April. In the first game, the Sabres earned their way into a projected playoff spot thanks to an amazing performance from Craig Anderson.
Last April was a different story. With both teams fighting for a spot in the postseason, Florida won the second matchup and it pretty much determined who was in and who was out of the playoffs. That is why I am very excited for this game.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Florida Panthers is the Game to Watch in April 2024
Especially if the Sabres will be trying to end the playoff drought. If they are in the race like they were last year, it will have the same feeling as it did last April. Even though it was a heartbreaking result for the Sabres, it was so great to see Buffalo playing meaningful games in the final month of the regular season.
Florida finished as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference and found themselves representing the East in the Stanley Cup Finals last season. I see the Panthers finishing in the top three in the Atlantic, so this game will be a challenge for the Sabres.
Buffalo has beaten good teams and played them tough, so I think they will be ready for this one. If they were able to win, it would be redemption for the year before and hopefully it gives them a spot in the playoffs. That’s why I’m looking forward to this game, what could be at stake and a chance to show the NHL world that these Sabres are different.