Buffalo entered tonight’s matchup after their hot streak came to a skidding halt. A Nick Bjustad goal would ensure that the Sabres would leave the state of Florida without a victory.
Things would start off slow for both Buffalo and Florida, in front of a limited crowd at the BB&T Center in Sunrise.
As the game progressed, so did the offense.
Florida would get on the board first, when ex-Buffalo Sabre Brad Boyes would score his 5th goal of the season. Boyes’ goal, at 13:05, was his 5th of the year.
Both teams would remain quiet through the end of the first, and halfway through the second, until the offenses woke up again.
Drew Stafford, in his first game back from injury, would score and get the Sabres on the board at 11:02 of the second period.
Stafford’s 5th goal of the season would knot things up at 1.
Less than two minutes later, Florida would grab another one goal lead.
Tomas Kopecky’s 1st goal of the season, at 12:55 of the second, was his first goal since January 4, 2014. This goal made it 2-1 Panthers.
It was clear at this point that both offenses had opened up a tad.
Brian Gionta would tie things up for Buffalo, when he scored his 3rd goal of the season. At 15:54 of the second period, things were tied up at 2.
Unfortunately for Buffalo, they were not able to capitalize on their tying goal.
Florida was a different story.
In the waning seconds of the second period, Nick Bjugstad put home his 11th goal of the season. This goal would put Florida up 3-2, going into the third period.
Buffalo would be unable to come back in the third period, like they had previously.
This loss drops Buffalo to 9-16-2 on the season, with 20 points.
The Buffalo Sabres play again this Tuesday night, when they host the defending Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings. Puck drops at the First Niagara Center, shortly after 7:30 PM on NBCSN.