The Sabres' young roster is learning on the fly and Buffalo's playoff chances depend heavily on how the players handle the ample pressure that lies ahead.
The Buffalo Sabres came up short against the battle-tested Florida Panthers on Monday night, but how they respond is far more important than a single result.
Buffalo has still won 13 of its past 15 games to surge up the Eastern Conference standings. The Blue and Gold also remain in a playoff position, the East's second wild-card spot, despite losing to a Panthers squad fighting to get back above the postseason cut line.