Ostlund Lifts Sabres Past Panthers With Third Period Goal

Buffalo capitalized on a third-period power play to secure a 5-3 victory over Florida on Monday in Buffalo, New York, with Noah Ostlund scoring the go-ahead goal 7:15 into the final period. The Sabres maintained their unbeaten lead throughout the game despite losing captain Rasmus Dahlin to an upper-body injury. Ostlund finished a pass from Zach Benson by tapping the puck through the crease with the score tied at 3, according to the game report.

Buffalo scored on two of five power-play opportunities, a marked improvement after converting just one of 17 chances to open the season. Tage Thompson, Josh Doan and Ryan McLeod also scored for Buffalo, while Dahlin recorded his second goal of the season before leaving the game early in the second period. The Sabres received additional offensive production from Ostlund to complete the 5-3 win.

Florida's Sam Reinhart scored twice, and Anton Lundell added a goal. Brady Tkachuk registered his first point with the Panthers by assisting on Reinhart's second goal.

Reinhart tied the game at 2 when he poked a loose puck that dribbled into the crease behind Buffalo starting goaltender Colten Ellis. Ellis allowed two goals on nine shots before being pulled 6:25 into the second period, according to the game report. Backup Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen replaced Ellis and stopped 13 of 14 shots to earn the win, allowing one goal during his appearance. Buffalo had also received goals from Thompson, Doan and McLeod as the Sabres stayed ahead on the scoreboard until Florida's comeback tied the contest.

Florida's power play converted two of four opportunities after entering the game with one goal on 28 chances, according to the reported statistics. Despite the improved special-teams production, the Panthers could not regain the lead after Ostlund's decisive goal. The defeat left Florida with a 2-2-2 record and extended its losing streak to two games following a 4-1 home-opening loss to Minnesota on Saturday. The Panthers were also without injured players Sasha Barkov and Brad Marchand, adding to their personnel challenges.

Florida is scheduled to travel to face Columbus on Tuesday night. Buffalo will continue its five-game homestand with a visit to Montreal on Tuesday night.