Sabres Vs Panthers: sabres vs panthers — Sabres 3-2 Panthers Game Recap

Emerson Raymont

Published: February 28, 2026 4:35 AM ET

Sabres Vs Panthers: sabres vs panthers — Sabres 3-2 Panthers Game Recap

The sabres vs panthers matchup ended in a 3-2 Buffalo win on Friday at Amerant Bank Arena. Watch the highlights from a nailbiter of a win in Florida: Beck Malenstyn's late, disputed goal stood and the Sabres held on.

Sabres Vs Panthers: game timeline

The Buffalo Sabres beat the Florida Panthers 3-2 on Friday at Amerant Bank Arena. Alex Tuch opened the scoring on a first-period power play, and Beck Malenstyn provided the decisive strike with 8: 22 remaining in the third period. Peyton Krebs iced the game with an empty-net goal late in the third.

First- and second-period scoring

BUF 1, FLA 0 | Period 1, 17: 48 (PP) – Alex Tuch from Ryan McLeod and Bowen Byram. Tuch's power-play goal put Buffalo ahead in the first.

BUF 1, FLA 1 | Period 2, 13: 51 (PP) – Matthew Tkachuk from Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand. Florida tied the game on a second-period power play.

Key plays and challenge

BUF 2, FLA 1 | Period 3, 11: 38 – Beck Malenstyn from Josh Norris and Noah Ostlund. Malenstyn's slap shot from up high broke a 1-1 tie with 8: 22 remaining in the third period. Florida challenged the play for goaltender interference, but the officials ruled good goal, a disputed call that sparked fury.

Beck Malenstyn gives the Sabres a 2-1 lead.

Empty net and late response

BUF 3, FLA 1 | Period 3, 18: 43 (EN) – Peyton Krebs from Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch. Peyton Krebs iced the game with his fifth empty netter of the season, which is tied for the NHL lead. BUF 3, FLA 2 | Period 3, 19: 23 – Sam Bennett (unassisted), as Florida scored again late but could not complete the comeback.

Goaltending and season marks

Alex Lyon got the net for Buffalo and made 27 saves on 29 shots. He went 3-0-0 against the Panthers this season, and the Sabres went 3-1-0 in the season series. The Sabres (74 points) are now 11 points ahead of Florida, and Buffalo will end the night in second place in the Atlantic Division.