Nilsson notches shutout as Sabres blank Panthers
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Anders Nilsson made 33 saves to lead the Buffalo Sabres to a 3-0 win over the Florida Panthers on Saturday afternoon.
It was Nilsson's second career shutout. His only other shutout came on March 4, 2012, as a member of the New York Islanders.
Johan Larsson, Kyle Okposo and Sam Reinhart scored for Buffalo (2-3-2), which responded after a particularly poor showing in a 4-0 loss to Minnesota on Thursday. The Sabres snapped a four-game losing streak and won their first game of the year at home.
Roberto Luongo made 22 saves for Florida (3-4-1).
Larsson opened the scoring 7:29 into the first period on a snipe from the right circle. Larsson buried a hard wrist shot after receiving a nifty backhand pass from Sabres captain Brian Gionta as Gionta fell to the ground beside the end boards.
Okposo made it 2-0 on a rebound opportunity 5:57 into the second period. After a shot from Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen went off Luongo's glove and hit the post, Okposo tucked in the rebound with a backhand shot to give Buffalo a two-goal lead.
Buffalo increased its advantage to 3-0 following a lucky break on the power play 8:48 into the third period. Reinhart's pass from behind the net caromed off Florida defenseman Mark Pysyk's skate and went into the net for his first goal of the season.
The Panthers will look to get something out of their four-game road trip on Sunday against Detroit. Florida has yet to win a game on the trip, falling to Buffalo, Toronto and Pittsburgh.
It was Florida's first regulation loss in Buffalo since March 25, 2011. The Panthers had a record of 8-0-2 in Buffalo in the past 10 meetings heading into the game.