Sabres Beat Panthers as Dahlin Leaves With Injury

On Oct. 12, 2026, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Florida Panthers 5-3 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, after Noah Ostlund scored the go-ahead goal and both teams lost key players to injuries, according to ESPN and the Associated Press. ESPN reported that Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin left in the second period with an upper-body injury and did not return. Dahlin had scored his second goal of the season on a power play before exiting.

The Associated Press reported that Ostlund broke a 3-3 tie with a power-play goal 7:15 into the third period by finishing Zach Benson's pass through the crease. Buffalo also received goals from Tage Thompson, Josh Doan, and Ryan McLeod.

According to the Associated Press, the Sabres never trailed in the game and converted two of five power-play opportunities after entering the season with one goal on 17 chances.

Florida Panthers starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom also left the game early after allowing two goals on 11 shots in the first period, according to the Associated Press. Akira Schmid replaced him and allowed three goals on 21 shots. The Panthers block featured their scoring response from Sam Reinhart, who scored twice, and Anton Lundell, who added another goal, according to the Associated Press. Florida went 2-for-4 on the power play after previously converting one of 28 opportunities.

Buffalo goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen earned the win after entering in relief, allowing one goal on 14 shots, according to the Associated Press. Starter Colten Ellis was pulled after Florida tied the game at 2. ESPN reported that Buffalo improved after a shaky start to division games, while the Panthers fell to 2-2-2 after losing two straight games. Florida next travels to play Columbus, and Buffalo moves on to face Montreal after its five-game homestand.