SUNRISE (SportsDirect Inc.) — Two teams that disappointed after coming into the season with playoff aspirations look to avoid the prospect of finishing last in the Atlantic Division when the Florida Panthers host the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.
Buffalo is sixth after beating Montreal 3-1 on Wednesday, leads Florida by a point and is two clear of last-place Detroit in the division with two games left.
The Sabres were in the hunt for an Eastern Conference playoff spot in mid-February, but managed seven wins in 21 games since to miss the postseason for the sixth straight season.