Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Florida Panthers used a pair of second period power play goals to help propel themselves to a 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon at KeyBank Center.
The Panthers had a pair of early chances, but Sabres goalie Eric Comrie was able to keep the game scoreless in his first regular season start for Buffalo. JJ Peterka's hooking minor was killed off without Florida opening the scoring.
Comrie received an assist on the game's first goal after Alex Tuch was able to move into the offensive zone on partial breakaway and slide the puck between the pads of Panthers goalie Spencer Knight. Tuch's first goal of the season gave the Sabres a 1-0 lead. Comrie and Henri Jokiharju were credited with the assists.
Colin White was able to tie the score at 1-1 less than four minutes later when he was able to find a spot in the slot and receive a pass from Eetu Luostarinen. It was White's first goal of the season.
Matthew Tkachuk then gave the visitors a 2-1 lead after coming out of the penalty box and winning a battle in front of the net for an easy tap-in goal.
It took the Sabres less than a minute later to answer and tie the score at 2-2. Zemgus Girgensons wired a shot into the net after Rasmus Dahlin and Peterka helped create the chance with nearly a minute to go in the period. Both young Sabres players were rewarded with assists on Girgensons' first goal of the year.
The Panthers took advantage of an early power play chance in the second period to re-take the lead over Buffalo, 3-2. Aaron Ekblad was able to wire a wrist shot into the net on the power play for his first goal of the season. Ex-Sabres forward Sam Reinhart was credited with an assist, along with Aleksander Barkov.
Buffalo thought they had tied the game when Jeff Skinner received a pass with no defender near him. However, Knight was able to make a save and keep Florida in front by a goal.
Former Sabres defenseman Brandon Montour scored his first goal of the season on the power play late in the middle stanza. Montour was able to pinch from the blue line and chip a loose puck into the net while Comrie and the Buffalo defense tried clearing it away from the net. The special teams goal increased Florida's lead to 4-2.
Dahlin combined with Alex Tuch late in the second to bring Buffalo back to within a goal. The rear guard received a pass from Tuch and used a Florida defenseman as a screen for his second goal in as many games to start the season.
Buffalo had an early opportunity in the third period to tie the game at 4-4 with a 4-on-3 power play chance, but were unable to capitalize. The Sabres' best chance on the opportunity came courtesy of Peyton Krebs at the top of the crease.
In the end, the Panthers shut things down defensively and came out of Buffalo with the 4-3 win.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 10:35 - Alex Tuch (1) (Henri Jokiharju, Eric Comrie); 18:51 - Zemgus Girgensons (1) (JJ Peterka, Rasmus Dahlin)
FLA: 14:03 - Colin White (1) (Eetu Luostarinen, Anton Lundell); 18:09 - Matthew Tkachuk (2) (Gustav Forsling)
Second Period:
BUF: 19:01 - Rasmus Dahlin (2) (Alex Tuch)
FLA: 2:31 - Aaron Ekblad (1) PPG (Sam Reinhart, Aleksander Barkov); 17:45 - Brandon Montour (1) PPG (Aaron Ekblad, Anton Lundell)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
FLA: NONE
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 2:40 - JJ Peterka (Hooking - 2 min.)
FLA: 15:52 - Matthew Tkachuk (Roughing - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 0:57 - Rasmus Dahlin (Cross-checking - 2 min.); 5:33 - Zemgus Girgensons (High sticking - 2 min.); 8:24 - JJ Peterka (Interference - 2 min,); 8:24 - Ilya Lyubushkin (Interference - 2 min.); 17:11 - Jacob Bryson (Tripping - 2 min.)
FLA: 8:24 - Ryan Lomberg (Roughing - 2 min.); 11:04 - Josh Mahura (Holding - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 2:16 - Peyton Krebs (High sticking - 2 min.)
FLA: 2:40 - Brandon Montour (Interference - 2 min.); 2:54 - Sam Bennett (Tripping - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Matthew Tkachuk - FLA
2.) Aleksander Barkov - FLA
3.) Eric Comrie - BUF
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What's next:
The blue and gold will head out on the road for their first trip of the season. Buffalo's four-game west coast road trip begins on Tuesday night in Edmonton against the Oilers.
Puck drop between the Sabres and Oilers is set for 9 p.m. ET with pregame coverage on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550 - beginning at 8 p.m. ET with Brian Koziol.
