The Florida Panthers are desperate for every point they can get, which is what made Friday’s result so frustrating.
Florida played well enough to win, but a strong game by the Buffalo Sabres and their goaltender, and a very questionable game-winning goal, led to the Panthers falling 3-2 to their division rivals.
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An entertaining opening frame ended on a high note for the visitors thanks to a late-period power play.
Sabres forward Alex Tuch scored on his third shot of the game, giving Buffalo a 1-0 lead with 2:12 on the clock.
That’s how the score would remain until the latter stages of the second period.
This time it was Florida on the power play, and right off the ensuing faceoff, Matthew Tkachuk picked up the puck, went to the net and after a quick backhand-forehand move, popped a shot between Alex Lyon’s blocker and the near post to knot the score at one.
Buffalo took a 2-1 lead just past the midway point of the third period on a very controversial goal.
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A point shot by Beck Malenstyn got past the glove of Daniil Tarasov, but that’s because Buffalo’s Mattias Samuelsson hit Tarasov’s glove with the blade of his stick a moment before the puck arrived.
Florida challenged the play for goalie interference, and after a lengthy review the officials decided that the goal should stand.
To say Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice was incredulous on the bench would be an understatement.
Buffalo added an empty-net goal, and Sam Bennett scored during the final minute to make it a one-score game again, but it would be all for not.
On to the Islanders.
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Photo caption: Feb 27, 2026; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers goaltender Daniil Tarasov (40) cannot make a save against a shot on goal by Buffalo Sabres left wing Beck Malenstyn (not pictured) during the third period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
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