Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET
TV: MSG-B (Buffalo), Scripps Sports (Florida), ESPN+ (national/out-of-market)
Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo (regional availability)
This Atlantic Division showdown features a surging Sabres squad battling for playoff positioning against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers, who are desperately trying to climb back into the wild-card picture after a sluggish stretch. Buffalo enters with momentum and a season-series edge; Florida returns home after a dominant win but remains heavily banged up.
Injury Report
Buffalo Sabres
- Out: Zach Benson (upper body – IR), Jordan Greenway (abdomen – IR), Jiri Kulich (ear/blood clot – IR), Justin Danforth (lower body), Conor Timmins (leg – IR)
- No other major issues; forward Peyton Krebs continues to slide into the top-line role.
Florida Panthers
- Out: Aleksander Barkov (knee – long-term IR), Seth Jones (upper body), Dmitry Kulikov (upper body), Jonah Gadjovich (upper body), Tomas Nosek (knee)
- Activated/Available: Tobias Bjornfot (undisclosed – returned Thursday vs. TOR)
The Panthers are without their captain and several key defensemen, forcing heavy minutes on the remaining blue-liners and depth forwards.
Recent Form
Sabres (33-19-6, 72 points – 2nd/3rd in Atlantic, strong wild-card lock): 7-2-1 in their last 10, winners of 4 of 5. Most recent: W 2-1 @ New Jersey (Feb 25) – Tage Thompson (goal + assist), Peyton Krebs (GWG + assist). Buffalo ranks top-10 in league scoring (3.3+ GPG) and has been excellent on the road lately (16-11-3).
Panthers (30-25-3, 63 points – 7th/8th in Atlantic, fighting for wild card): 4-6 in last 10 but coming off a statement 5-1 home win vs. Toronto (Feb 26) – Brad Marchand (2 goals), Evan Rodrigues (SHG + assist), Matthew Tkachuk (empty-netter). Florida is 16-13-3 at home but has struggled mightily without Barkov (missing since early season).
Head-to-Head / Series History
2025-26 season (Sabres lead 2-1):
- Feb 2, 2026 @ FLA: Sabres 5, Panthers 3
- Jan 13, 2026 @ BUF: Panthers 4, Sabres 3
- Oct 18, 2025 @ BUF: Sabres 3, Panthers 0
Buffalo has won the last two meetings (including both visits to Sunrise in recent years). The Under has hit in 2 of the 3 games this season; totals have averaged under 6 goals when these teams meet.
Key Player Matchups
- Tage Thompson (BUF – 31G, top-line anchor) vs. Panthers’ patchwork defense (no Jones/Kulikov): Thompson is on fire (goal + assist Wednesday) and should exploit Florida’s depleted blue line.
- Peyton Krebs (BUF – filling in for Benson, recent 1G+1A) & Alex Tuch vs. Carter Verhaeghe / Sam Reinhart line: Krebs has chemistry with Thompson; Florida’s top forwards must generate without Barkov’s playmaking.
- Brad Marchand (FLA – 2 goals Thursday) & Matthew Tkachuk vs. Buffalo’s checking line / Rasmus Dahlin: Marchand has been a spark since joining Florida; Tkachuk’s physicality will test Buffalo’s discipline.
- Goaltending: Likely Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen or James Reimer (BUF) vs. Sergei Bobrovsky (FLA – expected to start after strong recent play). Bobrovsky has been solid at home but faces a high-octane Sabres attack.
Betting Trends & Advanced Stats
- Sabres are 18-8-3 ATS as road underdogs/favorites this season and 6-2-2 ATS in their last 10.
- Panthers are 14-12-3 ATS at home but just 3-6-1 ATS when missing Barkov + multiple D.
- Buffalo is 8-3-1 in last 12 vs. Atlantic Division foes.
- The Under has cashed in 7 of Florida’s last 10 home games and in both recent Sabres wins here. League-wide, games involving these depleted Panthers teams trend lower-scoring.
- Road teams vs. Panthers without Barkov: opponents 7-3 straight-up in similar spots.
Game Odds
Buffalo Sabres 6.5
Florida Panthers – 115
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, February 26, 2026
