Anton Lundell scored the only goal of the shootout and Vitek Vanecek stood tall in net as the Florida Panthers outlasted the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 on Saturday night. With the win, the Panthers notched their third consecutive victory, tightening the race in the Atlantic Division as they now sit just two points behind Tampa Bay for second place.
Carter Verhaeghe led the way offensively for Florida in regulation, tallying a goal and an assist, while Jesse Puljujarvi chipped in with his second goal of the season. Vanecek turned aside 26 shots through 65 minutes and then blanked all three Sabres shooters in the shootout to secure the win.
Buffalo kept it close with a pair of power-play goals from Rasmus Dahlin and JJ Peterka. Peterka also added an assist, extending his point streak to four games, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was sharp in goal with 32 saves.
Despite resting stars Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart as a precaution before the postseason, Florida looked poised and aggressive. The game turned physical in the second period after a hard hit by Panthers winger Jonah Gadjovich on Buffalo’s Jiri Kulich at center ice sparked a brawl. Gadjovich was initially assessed a penalty, but it was rescinded after video review. The incident set the tone for a chippy third period, which featured nine penalties.
Buffalo tied the game with just under eight minutes remaining in regulation. Dahlin, who now has 13 points in his last 11 games, fed Peterka for the equalizer as a 5-on-3 power play expired.
The Gadjovich-Kulich hit and ensuing brawl in the second period changed the tempo of the game. Emotions flared, leading to a penalty-filled third period and a tighter defensive finish.
Verhaeghe, who had gone 13 games without a goal, now has scored in back-to-back contests at a crucial time for Florida.
Dahlin has scored in consecutive games for the third time this season and continues to be one of Buffalo’s most reliable producers late in the year.
Florida is taking a cautious approach heading into the postseason, resting key players and managing injuries. Sam Bennett (upper body), Matthew Tkachuk (lower body), and Aaron Ekblad (suspension) are expected to return for the playoffs.
The Sabres continue their Florida swing with a visit to Tampa Bay on Sunday, while the Panthers host the New York Rangers on Monday in their regular-season home finale.
