After leading by two goals early in the second period, the Sabres collapsed and gave up three unanswered goals to the Panthers, who left the First Niagara Center with two points and a 4-3 victory.
Former Sabre Brian Campbell scored the go-ahead goal halfway through the third period, and the Sabres were unable to generate any pressure in the offensive zone.
Coming off of a 6-1 loss in Montreal the night before, the Sabres were looking to play better hockey, but are now another losing streak.
“We had our opportunities in the 2nd period to put them away,” Lindy Ruff said. “We have to do some things different. That’s obvious.”
Thomas Vanek continued his red-hot pace, collecting a goal and two assists on the day. He now has eight goals in as many games, along with 19 total points.
Vanek’s performance wasn’t enough to overcome the late deficit and he knows that the Sabres missed out on an opportunity to cash in two points.
“We got all the way to 3-1, and played stupid, I guess,” Vanek said. “I think we were too scared to make that next mistake.”
Thomas Vanek has 25 points (17 G, 8 A) in 28 career games vs. Florida.
Playing in his 100th career game, Cody Hodgson beat Jose Theodore with a shot for his 5th goal of the season, putting the Sabres in front, 2-1.
The Sabres went out to a 3-1 lead early in the second period after Alexander Sulzer connected on his 2nd goal of the season.
The Panthers managed to tie the game up before the end of the period, with goals from George Parros and Peter Mueller.
Ryan Miller stopped 29 of 33 shots on the day.
“Boston and Montreal were not good example of how we need to play,” Miller said. “Tonight we played a little better, but coming off back to back you don’t have that same energy at the end of the game.”
The Sabres are now 0-4 against the Southeast Division this season. The Panthers got their first victory when allowing the first goal. They were 0-4 in that category coming in.
TJ Brennan played in his first game of the season after Andrej Sekera sat out with an ankle injury suffered in Saturday’s loss to Montreal.
The Sabres will next play in Ottawa on Tuesday. That game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.