Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - Sam Reinhart returned to Buffalo on Monday night with the Florida Panthers and helped his team to a 6-1 win over the Sabres at KeyBank Center.
It was another former Sabres player that opened the scoring when defenseman Brandon Montour recorded his sixth goal of the season. The defenseman was able to move down from the blue line and take a one-time pass from Aleksander Barkov, giving Florida a 1-0 lead five minutes into the game.
The Panthers briefly thought they had doubled the lead to 2-0 when Patric Hornqvist was at the side of the net. However, the net raised off the ice and the puck slid into the net instead of crossing the goal line. The goal was waved off, keeping the deficit at one for the Sabres.
Buffalo finished the opening period with 11 shots on goal, but were not able to score on Panthers goalie Spencer Knight.
Noel Acciari was able to score his first goal of the season by getting around Rasmus Dahlin and taking a shot that went into the top corner of the net. The veteran has only played in four games this season due to injury. Montour and Mason Marchment each recorded assists on the goal that made it 2-0 Florida in the second period.
The lead ballooned to 3-0 just minutes later thanks to a power play goal for Florida. Anthony Duclair was in front of the net and the puck deflected to him in the slot while Mattias Samuelsson was in the penalty box for tripping. The goal was Duclair's 22nd of the year.
Carter Verhaeghe and Hornqvist scored nearly two minutes apart to expand the lead to 5-0 midway through the middle period. Verhaeghe was able to find a spot at the side of the net for a tip-in chance, while Hornqvist was all alone for his ninth goal of the season.
Barkov added his 26th goal of the season thanks to a third period power play that extended Florida's lead to 6-0. Jonathan Huberdeau and Duclair assisted on the score.
Buffalo erased Knight's chance at a shut out with a goal part way through the final period. It also snapped a lengthy streak for the team.
John Hayden tipped Rasmus Asplund's shot from near the faceoff dot to Knight's left to make the score 6-1 in favor of the Panthers.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
FLA: 5:22 - Brandon Montour (6) (Aleksander Barkov, Mason Marchment)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
FLA: 5:54 - Noel Acciari (1) (Brandon Montour, Mason Marchment); 7:39 - Anthony Duclair (22) PPG (Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart); 11:39 - Carter Verhaeghe (17) (Mason Marchment, Eetu Luostarinen); 12:42 - Patric Hornqvist (9) (Sam Bennett, MacKenzie Weegar)
Third Period:
BUF: 13:42 - John Hayden (2) (Rasmus Asplund, Casey Fitzgerald)
FLA: 6:50 - Aleksander Barkov (26) PPG (Jonathan Huberdeau, Anthony Duclair)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
FLA: 10:31 - Anton Lundell (Hooking - 2 min.); 13:56 - Jonathan Huberdeau (Slashing - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 7:20 - Mattias Samuelsson (Tripping - 2 min.); 15:03 - John Hayden (Roughing - 2 min.)
FLA: 9:02 - Brandon Montour (Hooking - 2 min.); 19:31 - Sam Reinhart (High sticking - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 5:26 - John Hayden (Interference - 2 min.); 17:36 - John Hayden (Roughing - 2 min.; 10-minute misconduct)
FLA: 7:44 - Mason Marchment (Tripping - 2 min.); 17:36 - Radko Gudas (Unsportsmanlike conduct - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Aleksander Barkov - FLA
2.) Brandon Montour - FLA
3.) Mason Marchment - FLA
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What's next:
The blue and gold welcome Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights for a 7 p.m. EST faceoff on Thursday night. Listen to all of the action on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. Pregame coverage with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog begins at 6 p.m. EST.
