The Buffalo Sabres are still alive in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

After winning two in a row and getting some help on the out of town scoreboard, the Sabres now find themselves back in the NHL playoff hunt with a massive week ahead.

Buffalo is currently in 10th place in the Eastern Conference and sits six points behind the New York Islanders, five behind the Pittsburgh Penguins and four back of the Florida Panthers with at least two games in hand on each team. 

And the Sabres were thrown a golden opportunity on Tuesday night as they travel to Florida to take on the suddenly hot Panthers at FLA Live Arena. 

(7 p.m. ET)

The Sabres are a long shot to make the playoffs as it stands now, but a regulation win over the Panthers (and maybe some help from the New Jersey Devils) would improve their chances drastically. 

And perhaps it’s too little, too late, but the Sabres do seem to be trending up a bit recently.

Buffalo is 4-0-1 in its last five games and has a +6 goal difference to show for its efforts in that span.

What’s most impressive is that Buffalo has defeated three teams in playoff spots (Devils, Rangers and Islanders) in this recent run. 

Adding to the optimism is the arrival of rookie goaltender Devon Levi.

Acquired via trade from the Panthers, Levi was historically good at Northeastern University and looked as-advertised in Buffalo’s 3-2 win over the Rangers in his NHL debut on Saturday.

It is important not to get carried away after one game, but with the way Buffalo’s goalies have played this season it is fair to suggest that above-average goaltending could have a major impact on this team down the stretch.

Florida checks into this contest riding a three-game winning streak, but there are some reasons to pump the brakes a bit on the Cats.

Two of their last three wins came against Montreal and Columbus, and their 3-2 overtime win against the Maple Leafs was pretty lucky as they were outshot, 40-29, and had journeyman goaltender Alex Lyon to thank for the two points.

Lyon has played well over this recent stretch, but he’s skated to a .896 save percentage in 34 career NHL starts.

With two dynamic offenses facing off, this game has all the makings of a high-event thriller.

In that case, I’ll take a shot on the young goaltender with upside rather than a journeyman who has a track record of mediocrity in the NHL.

Sabres +160 (PointsBet)