Sabres Rally Behind Lyon’s Heroics, Zucker’s Clutch Goal to Beat Panthers 5-3
The Buffalo Sabres didn’t have their best start in Florida on Monday night - but they sure knew how to finish.
Despite being outshot more than 2-to-1, the Sabres clawed back from an early 2-0 deficit to take down the Panthers 5-3, thanks in large part to a third-period power-play goal from Jason Zucker and a season-best 38-save performance from goaltender Alex Lyon.
It was a gutsy win in every sense. Buffalo was outshot 41-20, yet improved to 22-10-3 this season when giving up more shots than they take. That’s not a formula most coaches would want to lean on, but it speaks volumes about this team’s resilience - and about Lyon’s ability to hold the fort when things get chaotic.
Lyon was lights-out in the third, stopping all 14 shots he faced to lock down his 11th win in his last 12 starts. That’s a serious bounce-back after a tough outing against Montreal just two nights earlier.
“Sometimes you have the right mentality, but it takes your body 10 minutes to get into the game,” Lyon said postgame. “Obviously they capitalized early and put us on our heels, but we got desperate.”
That desperation turned into momentum. After falling into a 2-0 hole early in the first, the Sabres found their legs - and their scoring touch.
Tage Thompson got the comeback rolling with his 29th goal of the season, while Peyton Krebs had himself a night, notching a goal and an assist. Krebs, elevated to the top line alongside Thompson and Alex Tuch, made the most of the opportunity. He recorded a career-high three points, led the team with seven hits, and drew the penalty that led to Zucker’s game-winner.
“I just try to take pride in being the best, wherever I’m in the lineup,” Krebs said. “If I’m on the fourth line, trying to be the best fourth liner in the league. If you get bumped up to the first line, trying to be the best player in that position.”
That mindset is paying off. Krebs now has eight points in his last seven games and is proving he can contribute in a variety of roles.
Josh Doan also chipped in with a goal and an assist, including the primary helper on Zucker’s third-period strike. Zach Benson added a goal in the second period before exiting in the third with an upper-body injury. Rasmus Dahlin and Ryan McLeod each tallied two assists, helping drive the offense in the first leg of a tough back-to-back road trip.
Buffalo’s penalty kill came up huge late, especially during a tense stretch when they were down to three skaters for over a minute in the final frame. That kill - gritty, disciplined, and clutch - sealed the win and capped off a night where the Sabres had to earn everything.
Up Next:
The Sabres head across the state to face the division-leading Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m. in what promises to be a big test against one of the East’s top squads.