Buffalo, NY (WGR550)  -- Drew Stafford is over the hip flexor injury that sidelined him for Saturday night's win at Philadelphia.  The forward is ready to rejoin Tim Connolly and Thomas Vanek on the team's top line against the Florida Panthers tonight.  On the blue line, it does not look like Toni Lydman will return to the lineup now that his groin injury has healed.

Head coach Lindy Ruff would not say whether or not Lydman would dress tonight, but judging by the morning skate pairings Ruff will keep the status quo.  Andrej Sekera was paired with Steve Montador this morning.  The two were matched up to start the year, and after Sekera returned from a rib injury he stepped in with Montador for an injured Lydman.

The Panthers come to town in 13th place in the Eastern Conference with 16 points.  They have won 2 of their last 3 games, but have gone to a shootout in each of those tilts.  Florida is 3-3 in November as well.  Their special teams sit near the bottom of the NHL in both categories.  Stafford likes the matchup, adding that “any chance that…you can…win the power play game or…make sure your penalty kill’s playing well that’s gonna definitely help your game.”

The Sabres topped Florida 5-2 last month, thanks to three goals in the first five minutes.  Captain Craig Rivet looks to that as a key to victory, and scoring first “seems to be the way of a lot of the games this year, you need to have a good start.”  Scoring quickly can get the team settled into the game right from the start, according to the blue liner.

Derek Roy has been one of the catalysts for the improved power play for Buffalo.  Three of the forward’s four goals have come on with the man advantage.  An increased presence in front of the net is one of the reasons Roy points to for the increased success.  He pointed to Paul Gaustad’s tip-in on Saturday as a clear example of that. 

Florida has been led offensively by Steve Reinprecht.  The center is tops on the team in goals (9) and points (15).  He scored one of the two Florida goals against the Sabres last month, and is a team-best +5, followed closely by Cory Stillman, who is +2 in that category.  Bryan McCabe and Nathan Horton are tied for the team lead in assists.  The pair each have 8 on the season.  

Other notes from practice…Mike Grier was not on the ice this morning.  Ruff said the staff decided to give the day off.  He does not think the injury will keep the forward out for weeks, the way Lydman’s groin problem has.  Patrick Kaleta stayed in Grier’s spot on the wing with Tim Kennedy and Jochen Hecht.  Gaustad flanked Matt Ellis and Adam Mair on the fourth line as well.  

Photo courtesy of The AP.