How the Buffalo Sabres fared against the Panthers in 2022-23

The Buffalo Sabres faced the Florida Panthers in a four-game series that turned into one with playoff implications down the stretch.

A couple of years ago, the Florida Panthers were the Presidents’ Trophy champions. Last year, they found themselves in the last wild card spot and were in the Stanley Cup Finals. Despite coming up short, they went on an amazing run.

Unfortunately for the Buffalo Sabres, one loss against the Panthers could have made a difference between making the playoffs. So how did the Sabres fare against their Atlantic Division foes? Buffalo and Florida saw each other four times during the regular season.

The first meeting took place in Buffalo on a Saturday afternoon. It was both teams second game of the season and only one team would go 2-0-0 after this matchup. Alex Tuch opened the scoring just about halfway into the first period before the Panthers tied it up a few minutes later.

Matthew Tkachuk gave the Panthers a 2-1 lead before Zemgus Girgensons tied the game up 42 seconds later. Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour scored the next two goals in the second period before Rasmus Dahlin made it 4-3. Unfortunately, the score would remain the same and Florida walked out of Buffalo with the win.

You have to fast forward to January for the second matchup of the season. It took place in Buffalo and the result was the same as the Panthers won 4-1. But in the month of February, the Sabres were playing some of their best hockey.

Buffalo Sabres had one glorious moment against Florida

After an emotional win in Tampa Bay, Buffalo met with the Panthers in Sunrise. No goals were scored in the first period but just a few minutes into the second period, Jeff Skinner gave Buffalo the 1-0 lead. Tuch would add on and the Sabres had the 2-0 lead heading into the final 20 minutes of play.

Florida scored to make it 2-1 but Skinner scored his second of the game to give Buffalo the 3-1 lead. Thanks to 49 saves and a spectacular performance from Craig Anderson, the Sabres would find themselves in a playoff spot after defeating the Panthers.

No game was more crucial for both teams than the fourth and final meeting. With two weeks left in the season, the Sabres and Panthers faced off with playoff implications on the line. After a disallowed goal that saw Tuch going offsides, Dylan Cozens gave Buffalo the 1-0 lead.

With just a few minutes left in the first, Aaron Ekblad tied the game up and the score remained tied going into the first intermission. No goals were scored in the second period but 59 seconds into the third, Tkachuk scored what would be the game winning goals and the Sabres lost a heartbreaker.

When the season was all set and done, Buffalo was just one point out from a playoff spot. But what if Alex Tuch doesn’t go offsides? I believe this game was the biggest reason why the Buffalo Sabres didn’t make the postseason.

Even though it was a heartbreaking ending for the Blue and Gold, this season is just the beginning. I think Buffalo and Florida will be battling for postseason contention each season and it could form a new rivalry.

(Historical data provided by Hockey-Reference)