The Buffalo Sabres (31-18-5, 67 points, 5th in Atlantic Division) visit the Florida Panthers (28-23-3, 59 points, 6th in Atlantic Division) in an Atlantic Division matchup on Monday night. This is the third meeting between the teams this season, with each securing one win: Florida won 5-2 on October 28, 2025, and Buffalo shut out the Panthers 4-0 on March 8, 2025. The Sabres aim to build on a strong recent stretch despite injuries, while the Panthers look to snap a three-game skid and climb back into playoff contention.
Venue Location
Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, Florida.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT).
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, MSG-B, SCRIPPS (NHL Network out-of-market), with radio on 550 WGR AM and 560AM WQAM.
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with significant absences, impacting depth and key contributors.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Reason |
| Sabres | Jordan Greenway | LW | Day-To-Day | Undisclosed |
| Sabres | Jiri Kulich | C | Out | Undisclosed |
| Sabres | Conor Timmins | D | Out/IR | Leg |
| Sabres | Josh Dunne | C | Out/IR | Undisclosed |
| Sabres | Jacob Bryson | D | IR (Expected Return: Feb 2) | Upper Body |
| Sabres | Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen | G | Out | Lower Body (Expected Return: Feb 5) |
| Sabres | Josh Norris | F | IR | Ribs (Day-To-Day, Possible Return Soon) |
| Sabres | Justin Danforth | F | IR | Undisclosed |
| Panthers | Dmitry Kulikov | D | Out/IR | Upper Body (Expected Return: Feb 26) |
| Panthers | Brad Marchand | C | Day-To-Day | Undisclosed |
| Panthers | Anton Lundell | C | Day-To-Day | Upper Body |
| Panthers | Seth Jones | D | IR | Undisclosed |
| Panthers | Jonah Gadjovich | F | IR | Undisclosed |
| Panthers | Aleksander Barkov | F | IR | Undisclosed |
| Panthers | Tomas Nosek | F | Out | Undisclosed |
The Sabres are without starting goalie Luukkonen, likely starting Devon Levi or James Reimer.
puckpedia.com +1
Norris and Bryson skated recently and could return soon, but remain day-to-day.
For the Panthers, Marchand and Lundell’s day-to-day status is critical for offense; Barkov’s IR absence is a major blow.
Key
Player Matchups
Injuries force adjustments, but this game features offensive stars and defensive battles. Projected starting lineups (based on recent rotations and morning skates):
| Position | Sabres | Panthers |
| LW | JJ Peterka | Matthew Tkachuk |
| C | Tage Thompson | Sam Bennett |
| RW | Alex Tuch | Sam Reinhart |
| D | Rasmus Dahlin | Aaron Ekblad |
| D | Owen Power | Gustav Forsling |
| G | Devon Levi | Sergei Bobrovsky |
Key matchups to watch:
Alex Tuch vs. Brad Marchand: Tuch (team-leading points projection: 25G, 30A) leads Buffalo’s attack with his speed and scoring (hat trick in recent win). Marchand (25G, 25A this season) is Florida’s veteran leader but day-to-day; if he plays, his agitating style could disrupt Tuch.
Tage Thompson vs. Sam Reinhart: Thompson (28G) powers Buffalo’s offense (projects 3+ shots). Reinhart (27G) faces his former team and leads Florida in goals; his power-play prowess (projects +125 to score) could exploit Buffalo’s 22nd-ranked PK.
Rasmus Dahlin vs. Matthew Tkachuk: Dahlin anchors Buffalo’s blue line (top-5 in ice time), facing Tkachuk’s physicality (2G in 7GP recently). Tkachuk’s net-front presence tests Dahlin’s defense.
Overall: Sabres’ speed vs. Panthers’ physicality: Buffalo’s transition game (averaging 3.3 GPG recently) challenges Florida’s injury-hit defense (allowing 3.4 GPG in losses). Power play efficiency (Buffalo 18.27% vs. Florida’s 82.89% PK) could decide.
Josh Doan has two goals in two games vs. Florida this season for Buffalo.
Recent Team Forms
The Sabres are hot, while the Panthers struggle amid injuries.
Sabres’ Last 10 Games (7-2-1 record):
1/31 vs MTL: L 2-4
1/29 vs LAK: W 4-1
1/27 @ TOR: W 7-4
1/25 vs OTT: W 5-3
1/24 @ TBL: W 4-2
1/22 vs STL: W 5-2
1/20 @ CAR: L 1-9 (OT? No, regulation)
1/17 vs MIN: L 4-5 (SO)
1/15 vs MTL: W 5-3
1/14 vs PHI: W 5-2
Overall: 6-4 ATS in last 10, Over in 6 of last 10. Buffalo averages 4.5 GPG in wins during 5-1 SU streak before MTL loss.
Panthers’ Last 10 Games (5-5-0 record):
1/31 vs WPG: L 1-5
1/29 @ STL: L 4-5
1/27 @ UTA: L 3-4
1/25 vs SJS: W 4-1
1/24 @ WSH: W 5-2
1/22 @ CAR: L 1-9
1/20 vs BUF: W 4-3 (earlier? Wait, adjust from sources)
1/16 @ CAR: L 1-9
1/12 @ BUF: W 4-3
1/10 vs TBL: L 2-4
Overall: 5-5 ATS in last 10, Under in 5 of last 10 home games. Florida has lost three straight, allowing 4.7 GPG in that span.
Series History
The Panthers lead the all-time series 61-52-4-3 (including ties) in 120 regular-season meetings.
Florida is 4-1 in the last five head-to-heads, but Buffalo won the most recent 4-0 on arch 8, 2025.
The Under has hit in 4 of Buffalo’s last 5 games overall, and Buffalo is 3-14 SU n its last 17 vs. Florida.
Betting Trends
Florida is 24-30 ATS this season (13-14 at home), Buffalo 28-26 ATS (12-15 on road).
Over/Under: Under has hit in 4 of Buffalo’s last 5 and 5 of Florida’s last 10 home games.
Other trends: 55% of bets on Sabres +1.5, but 60% of money on Panthers ML; Buffalo 5-1 SU in last 6, Florida 2-3 in last 5 at home.
Game Odds
Buffalo Sabres 6.5
Florida Panthers – 115
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, February 1, 2026
