Scenarios

1. The winning streak

The Sabers were 0-3-0 when they hosted the Panthers on October 12. They are 4-1-1 since their victory that night and have scored at least four goals in each of those six games.

Their current three-game winning streak puts them in the heart of the crowded Atlantic Division standings, where five teams are tied with an identical 4-4-1 record. The Panthers are atop the division with a 6-3-1 record.

Buffalo’s last three wins have followed a similar recipe: score the first goal, then lock up the game late.

“We got better every day throughout the whole process,” Clifton said. “Obviously we didn’t have the start we wanted, but we’re back to .500 now nine games in, so we’re starting fresh here and we’re going to continue to improve and play the way we can.”

2. Thompson’s point streak

Tage Thompson begins a six-game point streak tonight after scoring two goals and an assist against Detroit on Saturday. He has scored at least one goal in each of the last four confrontations.

Thompson is tied for the NHL lead with seven even-strength goals this season. Only four players have more goals across all strengths: Nico Hischier (9), Nikita Kucherov (8), Ross Colton (8) and Cole Caufield (8).

Just as the Sabres’ team success stems from a commitment to details, Thompson attributed his strong start to playing the right way and being confident that the points will follow.

“I just think about the desperation every night trying to get our team to win,” Thompson said after the game Saturday. “I just try to lead by example on both sides of the puck. I don’t really care about goals or points. These things will take care of themselves as long as I do things that help our team win.