Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Sabres' three-game winning streak was snapped on Monday night following a 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers at KeyBank Center.
The Panthers were able to convert on just their second shot of the game to take a 1-0 lead over Buffalo midway through the first period. Jesper Boqvist completed a 2-on-1 scoring chance after a pass from Anton Lundell.
Florida doubled the lead with a power play goal early in their first special teams chance of the game. Sam Reinhart was on the receiving end of an Aleksander Barkov pass, and he converted for a 2-0 Panthers advantage.
The goal was scored while Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton was in the penalty box for cross-checking.
The Sabres used their special teams to their advantage in the second period, helping the team trim their deficit to a goal. Buffalo went to the power play for the first time in the game after a successful penalty kill.
Jason Zucker was able to get a piece of a puck fluttering in the air after Tage Thompson tried to connect on a one-timer. Thompson and JJ Peterka were credited with the assists on Zucker's second power play goal in as many games.
The Sabres tied the score at 2-2 later in the period with an even strength goal. Rasmus Dahlin skated in from the blue line, and used a backhand shot at the top of the crease that snuck through Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.
The Panthers answered back several minutes later, though, after a Matthew Tkachuk shot landed next to Carter Verhaeghe. The forward chipped the puck into the open net on the rebound opportunity for a 3-2 Florida lead.
A power play chance in the late stages of the third period extended Florida's lead to two goals over the Sabres. Sam Bennett was credited with his eighth goal of the season.
It came on a 5-on-4 chance when Dahlin was called for high-sticking and roughing.
Barkov's second point of the night resulted in a three-goal lead with just over five minutes remaining in the game. The Panthers' captain wired a shot into the net for his first goal of the season, and a 5-2 Florida advantage.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: NONE
FLA: 11:01 - Jesper Boqvist (2) (Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen); 11:56 - Sam Reinhart (7) PPG (Aleksander Barkov, Carter Verhaeghe)
Second Period:
BUF: 10:45 - Jason Zucker (2) PPG (Tage Thompson, JJ Peterka); 12:37 - Rasmus Dahlin (1) (Owen Power)
FLA: 16:44 - Carter Verhaeghe (2) (Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
FLA: 14:35 - Sam Bennett (8) PPG (Nate Schmidt); 15:43 - Aleksander Barkov (1) (Sam Reinhart, Gustav Forsling)
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Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Aleksander Barkov - FLA
2.) Sam Bennett - FLA
3.) Sam Reinhart - FLA
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What's next:
The Sabres remain home with a lengthy break before their next game. Buffalo will welcome the New York Islanders for a 7 p.m. ET faceoff on Friday night at KeyBank Center for Hockey Fights Cancer Night.
Pregame coverage on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550 - begins at 6 p.m. ET with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog.