Panthers’ Roberto Luongo starting in goal on Thursday
Eichel, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 draft, has two goals in his first three games, both of the spectacular variety.
Last season, Roberto Luongo owned the Sabres to the tune of a. 949 save percentage and a 1.25 GAA, and the Panthers went 4-0-1 against the NHL’s worst team.
Only a dislodged section of glass was able to slow down Jaromir Jagr on Thursday night. 5, Buffalo, Ennis 1 (R.O’Reilly, Ristolainen), 12:35 (pp). He holds a seven-game winning streak over the Sabres (1-3-0).
Florida, despite three wins in its first four games, figures it can be better – and probably has to be as the season moves on.
As they did in their home opener, the Panthers relied on special teams early and late, taking advantage of a 5-on-3 power play less than eight minutes into the game after Buffalo’s Mike Weber and Josh Gorges were sent off for minor penalties.
Leading 2-1 after two, Jagr set up the insurance tally on the another power-play goal as his blast off Johnson’s pads bounced to Barkov for the rebound at 4:24 of the third. Jagr then connected with a one-timer past Buffalo goaltender Chad Johnson from the bottom of the right circle at 8:52. Rasmus Ristolainen started the Sabres off Monday, maybe a defenseman will score the first again?
When the two teams returned to the ice, they finished the final 2:53 of the first, switched sides of the ice and started the second period. “He’s playing real well”. The Sabres have been picked by most national pundits to finish toward the bottom of the standings once more, perhaps putting them in position to nab another top prospect to pair Eichel with. “It felt good. We’ll see what tomorrow brings”.
Power-play opportunities_Buffalo 1 of 6; Florida 2 of 5.
As has been the case since Jagr joined the team last February, the line of Jagr, Sasha Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau led the way.
Added Johnson, who made 26 saves in the loss: “He shoots everything no matter where it is, and he finds ways”.
After three games in the friendly confines of the First Niagara Center, the Sabres will finally take to the road, travelling to sunny Sunrise, Florida to take on the Panthers.
Buffalo Sabres rookie forward Jack Eichel looks like that rarest of superstars – one who has been even better than the hype.