Will the Panthers Pounce on the Sabres at Amerant Bank Arena?
As the Florida Panthers prepare to host the Buffalo Sabres at Amerant Bank Arena, fans are buzzing with anticipation. The Panthers have been on a tear lately, and their recent performances suggest that they might just continue their winning ways against the visiting team.
Looking back at their last game on February 16 against Buffalo, FLA dominated with a resounding 4-0 victory. Their offense was firing on all cylinders, netting goals across all three periods while maintaining an impressive shooting percentage of 13 percent. The defense was equally formidable; they didn't allow a single goal out of 45 shots, showcasing a goaltending masterclass with a save percentage that stood at an impeccable 100 percent.
The powerplay unit also made its mark by capitalizing once in three opportunities. While faceoff win percentage wasn't particularly high at 44 percent, it didn't seem to hinder their overall performance. The Panthers' ability to take control of games has been evident in other recent matches as well – like their explosive second period against Pittsburgh Penguins on February 15 where they scored four times en route to a decisive 5-2 victory.
However, it's not just about offense for FLA; their defensive prowess was highlighted in the shutout win over Colorado Avalanche on February 10. They allowed no goals from Colorado's total of 35 shots and had an evenstrength save percentage of again, an unblemished 100 percent.
The Sabres shouldn't be taken lightly though; despite losing in their last encounter with FLA, they managed to put up a significant number of shots (45). If they can find accuracy and capitalize on powerplay opportunities better than before – having failed to score during two chances previously – they could pose more of a threat this time around.
But given how things have been shaping up for Florida recently and considering how well-rounded both their offensive and defensive units are performing – especially when playing at home where they enjoy strong fan support – it seems likely that the Panthers will maintain control over this matchup as well.
Panthers fans should mark down February 27 as another potential night for celebration. The puck drops at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida at what would be equivalent to midnight UTC time zone but will be enjoyed by local fans much earlier in the evening due to time zone differences. For those who can’t make it to Sunrise or prefer watching from home comfort or while out and about can catch all action live nationally via ESPN+ or Hulu streaming services.