Week 19 was good for the Buffalo Sabres. After a disappointing loss to the Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo won the last three games against Montreal, Columbus and Carolina. This is the first three-game winning streak for the Sabres all season and the team will look to make it four in a row tomorrow. In Week 20, Buffalo will play four games.
Up first, a date with the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. These teams saw each other 12 days ago as the Panthers shut out the Sabres 4-0 back in Buffalo. This game will be the first of two games the Sabres will be in Sunrise for as both teams will square off again in Florida in April. If Buffalo wants to extend their winning streak to four games, they'll have a huge challenge in the Panthers.
After leaving Sunrise, the Sabres will be in Tampa on Thursday night. Just like the Panthers, Buffalo will see the Lightning at the end of the season in Tampa Bay, with this upcoming matchup being the first of two. The last time these two got together, the Lightning beat the Sabres 3-1 back in January.
With the first two games being on the road, Buffalo will have a back-to-back at home to conclude Week 20. They will host the Vegas Golden Knights first for some Saturday night hockey. This will be the final meeting of the season as Buffalo looks to sweep the season series after defeating the Golden Knights 5-2 in December. Former Sabres captain Jack Eichel will not be playing as he was placed on long-term injured reserve.
To wrap up the week, the Winnipeg Jets will be in town. Just like Vegas, the Jets and Sabres will face off one more time as Buffalo looks to avenge their loss to Winnipeg back in November where they lost 3-2.
For my prediction, this is a tough one. This week and the following will be a gauntlet for the Sabres. I'm going to predict they will go 2-2. I think they will lose to both Florida teams but will rebound at home against Vegas and Winnipeg.