The Sabres had their 10-game winning streak end Thursday with a 5-4 loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Buffalo defenseman Jake McCabe left the game in the second period with an undisclosed injury. Goalie James Reimer will make his fourth consecutive start for the Panthers as Roberto Luongo continues to work his way back from a knee injury.
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Players to watch
Sabres center Jeff Skinner has 13 goals in his past 14 games. Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad has five goals in his past nine games after going without a goal in his first 14 games.
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They said it
"I thought it was a great stretch by us. Ten games in a row is pretty good. It shows us we can win every night we go out there, and that should be our mindset." -- Sabres forward Jack Eichel "You can kind of create your own luck in this League. There is another level we all have to give. There's really no excuses." -- Panthers forward Nick Bjugstad
Pilut could make his NHL debut if Scandella, who has missed the past two games, and McCabe can't play. Pilut, who was recalled from Rochester of the American Hockey League on Tuesday, had 22 points in 16 AHL games. … The Sabres did not have a morning skate. … Panthers coach Bob Boughner said Luongo will not be ready to return this weekend, as hoped. The Panthers are hoping he'll be back next week.
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Stat pack
Dahlin has nine points (one goal, eight assists) and a plus-8 rating in his past 10 games. … Skinner has 11 goals in 14 road games, tied for second in the NHL after Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine with 15. … Huberdeau has seven points (one goal, six assists) during a three-game point streak.
