Is Aleksander Barkov playing tonight against Buffalo Sabres? Florida Panthers make key captain decision

Aleksander Barkov is back in the lineup tonight for the Florida Panthers as they play the Buffalo Sabres. Coach Paul Maurice confirmed Barkov’s return after an eight-game absence due to a lower-body injury. Barkov will rejoin the top line and first power-play unit after missing eight games.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman posted on X:

"Paul Maurice announces that Aleksander Barkov returns tonight"

In his two games this season, Barkov had one assist, two shots on goal, three blocked shots and one hit. With Barkov returning, defenseman Adam Boqvist will be a healthy scratch.

"Per Paul Maurice, Aleksander Barkov is back in the lineup tonight for the @flapanthers in Buffalo. On the air at 7pm on @radiolibre790 @1230TheGambler." Insider Doug Plagens also confirmed this.

Sergei Bobrovsky will start in goal for Florida.

"Also per Paul Maurice, Sergei Bobrovsky will start in net tonight for the @flapanthers," Plagens added.

The game will take place at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, starting at 7 p.m.

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Florida Panthers will aim for a different outcome

The Florida Panthers (6-3-1) play the Buffalo Sabres (4-4-1). Buffalo leads the season series after their 5-2 win on October 12.

Florida has won four of their last five games. Anton Lundell, with six points, and Sam Bennett, with four goals, have been reliable for Florida.

Carter Verhaeghe has also helped, adding four assists recently. Sergei Bobrovsky will start as Florida’s goalie, holding a 4-2-1 record with a 3.11 goals-against average.

Buffalo, at 4-4-1, is working to find steady form but has standout players. Tage Thompson, with nine points and five goals in his last five games, leads their offense.

Owen Power, with five assists recently, has been solid in setting up plays. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, likely starting tonight, has a 3.01 goals-against average.

Both teams are similar in net with save percentages near .884. Defense and special teams may decide the game. Florida aims to tie the season series, while Buffalo hopes for another strong performance against them at home.

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Aleksander Barkov missed their previous encounter

The Buffalo Sabres won their first game of the season, beating the Florida Panthers 5-2 in Aleksander Barkov's absence. This was the first game that he missed following his injury.

The Panthers scored first with a goal from Nate Schmidt, but the Sabres quickly equalized. Spencer Knight was in goal for Florida, allowing four goals on 26 shots.

The Panthers struggled without key players like Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov. Sam Bennett scored for the Panthers on a power play, but it wasn't enough. Tuch added an empty-net goal to secure the win for the Sabres.