GDT: Buffalo Sabres @ Florida Panthers 10/15/2015 7:30 pm EDT

BUFFALO SABRES FLORDIA PANTHERS
OCT 15, 2015, 7:30 PM ET

Sabres, coming off first win, visit Panthers

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SABRES (1-2-0) at PANTHERS (2-1-0)

TV: RDS, TSN5, MSG-B, BELL TV

Season Series: The Florida Panthers went 4-0-1 against the Buffalo Sabres last season, led by forward Nick Bjugstad's three goals. Goalie Roberto Luongo won all four of his starts with 1.25 goals-against average and .949 save percentage. Sabres defenseman Nikita Zadorov scored 29 seconds into overtime on Dec. 13 at First Niagara Center in Buffalo's lone win.

Sabres team scope: Captain Brian Gionta (lower body) said after practice Wednesday he's feeling good and hopes to make his season debut on this brief Florida road trip, which concludes Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Defenseman Zach Bogosian (lower body), injured during preseason, practiced in a red no-contact jersey. He termed himself day-to-day as opposed to the initial week-to-week prognosis. The Sabres look to build off their first win of the season 4-2 against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday. "Florida plays a really tough. They play hard. They're not easy," forward Tyler Ennis told the Sabres website. "Going down to Florida 's a tough trip. We're going to have to do what we did against Columbus: play a full 60 minutes." Defenseman Matt Donovan cleared waivers and was assigned to Rochester of the American Hockey League.

Panthers team scope: Luongo and backup goalie Al Montoya have combined to make 92 saves on 95 shots over the first three games, .968 save percentage. Luongo is expected to be back in net after Montoya made 22 saves Tuesday in a 4-1 win against the Carolina Hurricanes. Fifteen of the 19 Panthers skaters to have dressed for a game have at least one point. All 19 have at least one shot on goal. "That's how you have a successful team, when everybody's chipping in, your first line to your fourth line, your defense," coach Gerad Gallant told the Panthers website.

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