Panthers beat Sabres to clinch playoff berth

Jonathan Huberdeau set Florida’s single-season factors file, and the Panthers clinched a playoff berth with a 5-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday.

Huberdeau scored his twenty fourth aim to increase his level streak to eight video games and lift his season whole to 97, yet another than teammate Aleksander Barkov’s file set in 2019.

“He’s an amazing participant, and he deserves it the way in which he’s been enjoying,” stated Barkov, who had two assists and is second on the Panthers with 72 factors. “It couldn’t occur to a greater man. We nonetheless have a number of video games left, so it’s going to be a number of enjoyable to see the place he’s going to finish up.”

Anthony Duclair scored twice because the Panthers (48-15-6) established a franchise file for victories. Successful for the seventh time in eight video games, Florida closed a back-to-back journey by bettering to 20-9-6 on the highway.

“Clearly, to clinch, it’s enjoyable,” Huberdeau stated. “The remainder of the season is basically essential as effectively. Wish to end first, get home-ice benefit, and simply to get good momentum into the playoffs.”

MacKenzie Weegar had a aim and an help for Florida. Anton Lundell additionally scored, and Spencer Knight made 26 saves. Claude Giroux had two assists.

The Panthers are the primary staff within the league to qualify for the postseason and have reached the playoffs in a 3rd straight season for the primary time within the 28-year historical past of the franchise.

“We’ve eyes on greater prizes right here,” interim coach Andrew Brunette stated. “It’s a pleasant accomplishment and well-deserved, and we must always rejoice a bit of bit. … We’ve bought some large video games coming down the stretch, and we have now to verify we’re on prime of our sport right here the following month.”

Jeff Skinner had a aim and an help for the Sabres, who’re on the cusp of of lacking the playoffs for an NHL-record eleventh consecutive season. Tage Thompson and Kyle Okposo additionally scored, and Dustin Tokarski stopped 35 photographs.

Buffalo misplaced an eight-game level streak (5-0-3), its longest in three seasons. The Sabres shall be eradicated from the playoffs with one other loss, or a win by the Washington Capitals.

“The whole lot of the sport, we simply couldn’t get the emotional power,” Sabres coach Don Granato stated. “I give our guys credit score for looking for it and struggle. However we simply didn’t have that soar, that zip, that we have now after we’re contemporary.”

The Sabres closed to 4-3 on power-play objectives by Skinner and Thompson 1:54 aside within the third interval. Skinner poked in his twenty eighth from contained in the crease at 8:25. Then he despatched a backhand move between his legs to Thompson, who scored his thirty first from the correct slot at 10:19.

“We left the door open for them a bit of bit, they usually virtually snuck it in,” Brunette stated

However Weegar helped shut it out with a power-play aim for the Panthers with 1:35 left.

“I actually appreciated our entire sport till we bought in penalty bother there,” Brunette stated. “We performed a very good highway sport on a back-to-back the place we expended a number of power getting again final night time.”

After rallying from a four-goal deficit for a 7-6 additional time win at New Jersey on Saturday, the NHL’s prime scoring staff went on the assault within the second by scoring thrice whereas outshooting Buffalo 22-8.

Lundell bought the go-ahead aim, knocking in a rebound for his fifteenth with 4:05 left within the interval.

Duclair made it 3-1 when he scored 1:06 afterward a feed from Gustav Forsling. Barkov prolonged his level streak to 4 video games with a backhand move resulting in Duclair’s twenty eighth aim lower than a minute into the third.

Huberdeau’s tying aim 6:18 into the second was generated by Giroux’s forechecking. He took the puck from Sabres defenseman Jacob Bryson earlier than feeding Huberdeau within the excessive slot.

Okposo put the Sabres in entrance late within the first, redirecting Mattias Samuelsson’s level shot for his 18th aim.

Skinner stated the Panthers’ ability and depth at ahead depart little margin for error when enjoying in opposition to them.

“You make one mistake, it doesn’t matter who’s on the market for them,” he stated. “They’re going to make you pay.”

WORTH NOTING

Panthers F Joe Thornton changed Maxim Mamin on the fourth line after being a wholesome scratch in Friday’s win in opposition to the Devils. … D Robert Hagg performed in Buffalo for the primary time since being traded to Florida two weeks in the past. … F Sam Bennett went to the dressing room within the first interval after being elbowed within the face by Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin, however returned for the beginning of the second. … Sabres F Alex Tuch recorded his one centesimal NHL help on Skinner’s aim.

UP NEXT

Panthers: Host Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night time.

Sabres: Host Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night time.