Buffalo @ Florida preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 3, 2019 ) Florida 3, Buffalo 4

The Buffalo Sabres are six points out a playoff spot but are showing no signs of climbing back into contention as they prepare to open a rugged seven-game stretch with a visit to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. Buffalo has not won consecutive games since Dec. 11-13 and was outscored 10-3 in back-to-back losses to the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils.

"I know that's disappointing but we've got a big game against Florida," Sabres coach Phil Housley said. "We're still in this thing. We're still fighting and that's the way we're going to look at it." Buffalo must now navigate a stretch that includes road matchups at NHL-best Tampa Bay and Toronto (twice) and a home date versus reigning Stanley Cup champion Washington. The Panthers are five points behind the Sabres but have won two in a row and eight of 12 -- with all the victories coming against teams currently holding down playoff spots. Florida had a seven-game winning streak in the series snapped in a 4-3 loss at Buffalo on Jan. 3, but has won five in a row and nine of 10 at home against the Sabres.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG-Buffalo, FS Florida

ABOUT THE SABRES (28-23-7): Forward Kyle Okposo, who has a history of concussions and was knocked woozy in a one-punch fight with the Rangers' Tony DeAngelo, met with the team trainer Sunday before flying back to Buffalo for further evaluation. Defenseman Marco Scandella suffered an undisclosed injury in the same game and was termed week-to-week by Housley at Monday's practice. Forward Sam Reinhart, who scored the lone goal in the 4-1 loss to the Devils to establish a career high with 51 points, was shifted to the second line at Monday's practice while Jason Pominville was elevated to the No. 1 unit.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (25-24-8): Captain Aleksander Barkov reached 20 goals for the fourth consecutive season in Sunday's win and he did it in spectacular fashion, posting his second career hat trick with a highlight-reel tally against Montreal's Carey Price that lit up social media. "To do that in a game with a guy on his back against probably the best goalie in the game, it just shows the type of confidence he has," Florida defenseman Keith Yandle observed. Barkov, who also had an assist Sunday, has reason to feel confident against the Sabres after scoring three goals and setting up two others in three games this season.

OVERTIME

1. Panthers G Roberto Luongo is expected back from bereavement leave Tuesday but James Reimer will make his third straight start.

2. Reinhart has two goals and six points in three meetings with Florida this season.

3. Panthers F Frank Vatrano has scored nine goals over the last 16 games.

PREDICTION: Panthers 4, Sabres 2