Panthers Slip By Sabres

     The Florida Panthers edged the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 in overtime at Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday night. The Panthers, who clinched home-ice advantage in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, will finish the regular season with their home finale on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

     Buffalo(38-37-6) jumped out to a 1-0 lead at the 2:59 mark of the first period. Tyson Jost fired a slap shot for his third goal of the year. 

     Florida(51-24-6) responded and tied it up 1-1 at 5:02. Anton Lundell placed in his 13th goal of the campaign on a backhand shot. Matthew Tkachuk chalked up his 60th assist of the season on the play. 

     The Cats took their first lead of the contest 2-1 at 8:11. Kevin Stenlund put in a wrist shot for an unassisted, shorthanded goal. It was his 11th goal during 2023-24. 

     It would become a tie game 2-2 just over one minute later on a tally by the Sabres. Jack Quinn released a wrist shot on the power play for his ninth goal this season. 

     In overtime, the Panthers gained the victory at the 3:58 mark. Sam Reinhart collected his 55th goal of the season on a wrist shot. Aleksander Barkov got his 55th assist to set up the game-winning goal.