Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Sabres were able to secure their first win of the 2024-25 season on Saturday night with a 5-2 victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers at KeyBank Center.
Nate Schmidt opened the scoring with his first goal of the season midway through the first period. The defenseman was able to skate through the slot and score to give Florida a 1-0 lead midway through the opening period.
The Sabres were unable to convert on their first power play chance of the night, however the team would score twice in the span of 41 seconds to not only tie the score but take the lead late in the first period.
Jordan Greenway was able to convert on a loose puck in the crease to even the score 1-1. His backhand chance beat Spencer Knight and was assisted by Peyton Krebs.
Less than a minute later, Tage Thompson was able to get behind the Florida defense and score his second goal of the season for a 2-1 Sabres lead.
Alex Tuch made the pass that helped create the chance, he was credited with an assist along with Connor Clifton.
The Sabres were able to capitalize on sustained offensive zone pressure less than two minutes into the second period to increase their lead to 3-1 over Florida. Henri Jokiharju was able to score his first goal of the season to provide Buffalo with a two-goal advantage.
During a first period time out the team announced that Rob Ray will be inducted into the Sabres Hall of Fame this year.
Another defenseman added to the scoring, improving the Sabres lead to 4-1 lead in the second period. Mattias Samuelsson was able to take his time and fire a shot into an open net for his first goal of the season.
Florida was able to get a goal back just a few minutes later on a power play chance. Sam Bennett converted on the opportunity to trim the Panthers deficit to two goals, 4-2, with just over a minute remaining in the second period. The special team's goal came whiel Jordan Greenway was in the penalty box.
The only goal of the third period came with less than two minutes remaining in regulation. Alex Tuch scored for the second straight game by shooting at an empty net just on the Panthers' side of center ice. The goal extended Buffalo's lead to three goals.
Devon Levi made 23 saves in the victory, making four saves in the third period to aid the team's efforts. However, Buffalo went 0-for-3 on the power play.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 16:46 - Jordan Greenway (1) (Peyton Krebs); 17:27 - Tage Thompson (2) (Alex Tuch, Connor Clifton)
FLA: 9:01 - Nate Schmidt (1) (A.J. Greer, Jesper Boqvist)
Second Period:
BUF: 1:34 - Henri Jokiharju (1) (Rasmus Dahlin, Jack Quinn); 16:22 - Mattias Samuelssson (1) (Jason Zucker, Ryan McLeod)
FLA: 18:42 - Sam Bennett (3) PPG (Sam Reinhart, Evan Rodrigues)
Third Period:
BUF: 18:48 - Alex Tuch (2) ENG (Unassisted)
FLA: NONE
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Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Jordan Greenway
2.) Henri Jokiharju
3.) Mattias Samuelsson
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What's next:
The Sabres have a few days off before beginning a three-game road trip on Wednesday. The first of three games in four days will take place in Pittsburgh against the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
Faceoff is slated for 7 p.m. ET with the Steve Foley Law Pregame Show on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network -WGR Sports Radio 550 - beginning at 6 p.m. ET with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog.