The Buffalo Sabres ended their rocky start to the season on Saturday night with a resounding 5-1 victory over the Florida Panthers. The dynamic duo scored goals in just 41 seconds during the first period. This set the tone for the remainder of the match.
Henri Jokiharju and Mattias Samsson also scored, while Alex Tuch rounded out the scoring with an empty-netter. The Sabres’ offensive surge was a stark contrast from their first three games in which they only managed three goals.
Lindy Ruff Celebrates his Return with a Win
Lindy Ruff marked a triumphant return to the Sabres’ bench, securing his first win in his second stint as the team’s coach – a significant 4,257 days after his previous victory with Buffalo.
Panthers’ performance falls short
The Panthers have lost their second game in a row after beating Boston to start the season. Florida’s only goals were scored by Sam Bennett and Nate Schmidt.
Spencer Knight, the goaltender for the team, was able to stop 22 shots during his first appearance since a 6-2 loss to St. Louis in February 2023. Knight’s performance could have been better, especially on Thompson’s decisive 25-foot goal.
The Game’s Key Takeaways
The Sabres were able to avoid an 0-4 starting point, improving their record against the Panthers to 2-9-1 over their last 12 meetings. However, their power play is still struggling, with no goals in 14 attempts.
Statistics and Critical Moments
Devon Levi, the Sabres’ goalie, made a crucial stop 32 seconds into second period. He denied Sam Reinhart’s attempt to score off a 4-on-2 rush. Jokiharju then extended Buffalo’s lead by 3-1 only 66 seconds after.
In a comparison of NHL coaches with extensive experience, Panthers’ Paul Maurice tops the list. Ruff, who ranks in second place, is close behind. Maurice is fourth with 870 wins and Ruff is fifth with 865.
What’s Next For the Teams
The Panthers continue their four game road trip on Monday with a visit from Columbus. The Sabres, meanwhile, are preparing for a three game swing, starting on Wednesday night at Pittsburgh.
