When the NHL finally decided to add a salary cap, it created a more balanced league that would allow the smaller market teams to compete with the big boys. That said, many of those smaller teams still have to build through youth in order to be fiscally responsible. The Florida Panthers –favorites on NHL lines— and Buffalo Sabres both fit that bill, and they will hook up in Florida on Thursday night.
The Buffalo Sabres (1-2-0) might well be grouped in with those teams destined to miss the playoffs, as they are really now just starting to embark on their team rebuilding. That began when they chose Jack Eichel second overall in last year’s draft, and the young man has not disappointed through his first three games in the big league. Eichel has netted a pair of goals, and is averaging close to 20 minutes of ice time per game. That time may well be expected to increase if he continues to progress in the coming months. Buffalo have been good on the power play to start the season, but they are near the bottom of the league in the penalty kill. They will need to get the latter under control if they don’t want to be playing catch up every single night.
Sabres vs Panthers: NHL Lines and Game Preview
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2015 Time: 7:30PM Venue: BB&T Center Opening Line: Florida -133
Peter Luukko on how @FlaPanthers are building for success on the ice and in the community. https://t.co/JtdVy05pno
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) October 14, 2015
There was a sense before the season began that the Florida Panthers (2-1-0) might be on the brink of being ready to compete for a playoff spot. They brought in some veteran guys, including Roberto Luongo between the pipes, to help bring their young talent along, and so far, it seems to be working. There were some who got a little too carried away when the Panthers opened their season with a 7-1 win over the Flyers. Those folks were brought back to earth in a hurry when they followed that up with a 1-0 loss to the same team. Their last outing saw them pick up a 4-1 win over the hapless Carolina Hurricanes, and while all of that adds up to a good start, it worth remembering that all of Florida’s games so far have been against teams expected to struggle this season.
The Buffalo Sabres (1-2-0) might well be grouped in with those teams destined to miss the playoffs, as they are really now just starting to embark on their team rebuilding. That began when they chose Jack Eichel second overall in last year’s draft, and the young man has not disappointed through his first three games in the big league. Eichel has netted a pair of goals, and is averaging close to 20 minutes of ice time per game. That time may well be expected to increase if he continues to progress in the coming months. Buffalo have been good on the power play to start the season, but they are near the bottom of the league in the penalty kill. They will need to get the latter under control if they don’t want to be playing catch up every single night.
