Sabres Stop Panthers

     The Buffalo Sabres handled the Florida Panthers 3-1 at FLA Live Arena on Friday night. It was the Panthers only game in an eight-day stretch. Buffalo leaped over Florida for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. 

     Anthony Duclair made his 2022-23 season debut with Florida. The Panthers had won six consecutive contests versus the Sabres entering tonight. Former Panthers goalie Craig Anderson made 53 saves in the victory for the Sabres. 

     After a scoreless opening period, Buffalo(30-23-4) scrambled out to a 2-0 lead in the second period.  Jeff Skinner scored at the 3:51 mark and Alex Tuch followed with a power-play tally at 8:44.  

     In the third period, Florida(29-26-6) closed it 2-1 at 8:24/ Carter Verhaeghe collected his 31st goal of the season on assists from Duclair and Eetu Luostarinen. 

     The Sabres extended it to 3-1 with 9:24 left in the third. Skinner got his second goal of the game and 24th goal of the campaign.