The Buffalo Sabres earned a 5-3 victory over the Florida Panthers on Monday night at Amerant Bank Arena, continuing a strong stretch of play and opening a back-to-back set of Atlantic Division road games.
Peyton Krebs powered Buffalo with a goal and two assists, including a late setup that provided insurance in the final minutes. Josh Doan added a goal and an assist, while Tage Thompson, Zach Benson, and Jason Zucker also scored for the Sabres, who improved to 32-18-5 on the season.
Buffalo fell behind early after Florida scored twice in the opening six minutes, but the Sabres responded with two goals late in the first period to even the game. Thompson cut the deficit midway through the period, and Krebs tied it with a backhand finish at the right post off a feed from Rasmus Dahlin.
Benson gave Buffalo its first lead early in the second period, finishing a loose puck created by Ryan McLeod exiting the penalty box. Florida answered late in the period with a power-play goal to make it 3-3 heading into the third.
The Sabres regained control on a power play at 5:31 of the third period when Zucker converted Doan’s pass from below the goal line. Buffalo then killed two late penalties, including more than a minute of five-on-three play, before Krebs set up Doan on a rush goal with 2:09 remaining to seal the win.
Alex Lyon made a season-high 38 saves and earned his 11th win in his past 12 starts.
Buffalo has now gone 21-4-1 since December 9, marking the most successful 26-game stretch in franchise history.
The Sabres continue their road trip Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.
