The Florida Panthers had another comeback win on Thursday night, defeating the Buffalo Sabres 7-4.
First Period:
Jonathan Huberdeau would nearly have a goal within the first minute off the breakaway but would be stopped by Aaron Dell. The Florida Panthers would draw a power play and have many scoring chances, but all would be stopped. The Sabres would get the ice-breaker right after killing a penalty when Rasmus Dahlin would set up ex-Florida Panther Vinnie Hinostroza, who shot a quickie past Sergei Bobrovsky. The Sabres would make it a 2-0 lead a little over four minutes later when Kyle Okposo would set up Dylan Cozens, who sent a wrister past Bobrovsky. Hinostroza would add a second goal in the period when a rebound by Dylan Cozens went to Hinostroza and he would shoot it from the corner to make it 3-0.
Second Period:
The Panthers came out in the second period and came back well. The Panthers would get on the board halfway into the period when Jonathan Huberdeau would set up Lucas Carlsson for his first-ever NHL goal. A little over a minute later, the Sabres would answer back when Casey Middlestadt would have a solo cross-ice, and he would shoot it past the five-hole of Sergei Bobrovsky. It would be Middlestadt’s first goal of the year.
Bobrovsky would get pulled right after, allowing four goals on 12 shots, for Spencer Knight. This would seem to change the game for the Panthers, as they would go on a 6-0 run to end the game. Sam Reinhart would score against his former team to cut the game in half when he would tip it in past Aaron Dell. Aaron Ekblad would cut the Buffalo lead to one right before the period ended when Jonathan Huberdeau and Sam Reinhart set him up, who would shoot it past Dell again.
Third Period:
The Panthers entered the period down 4-3. But one minute in, Aaron Ekblad scored his second goal of the night to tie the game at four apiece. Then, seven minutes later, rookie Anton Lundell scored the go-ahead goal for Florida. The Panthers were not done, though. Jonathan Huberdeau and Anton Lundell scored their second goals of the night on empty-netters to seal the game, 7-4.
Other Notes:
- Sam Reinhart registered a career-high four points (1-3-4). Huberdeau (1-4-5) and Reinhart are the third pair of Panthers’ in the past 10 years to each record 4+ points in the same game.
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Jonathan Huberdeau matched his career highs in assists (4) and points (5) in a single game. He has produced eight points (1-7-8) over his past two games.
- Florida became the ninth team in NHL history to overcome a three-goal deficit in consecutive games.
- Lucas Carlsson recorded his first NHL goal.
- It was career game No. 614 for Jonathan Huberdeau, moving him into second place all-time on Florida’s franchise list for games played.
Next Up:
The Florida Panthers will play their next two games against the St. Louis Blues, one at home, and one on the road.
(Featured image by Al Diaz/Miami Herald)