Sabres Fall In Overtime for Second Straight Loss

The problem with a long winning streak for any sports team is that once it ends you expect that they'll immediately begin another one.  After the Tampa Bay Lightning ended the Buffalo Sabres 10-game winning streak on Thursday night, even team captain Jack Eichel expected they'd win their next game.  It's one thing to say something and quite another to do it.

The Sabres extended the Florida Panthers to overtime on Friday night in suburban Miami, but fell to the Panthers 3-2 for their second straight loss.  The Sabres had led 2-1 entering the third period on goals by Jeff Skinner and Sam Reinhart with Eichel assisting on both, but the Panthers tied it with their second power play goal of the night, then beat goaltender Linus Ullmark on a slick passing play to end it.

The Panthers outshot the Sabres by a whopping 43-24.  Ullmark was outstanding in stopping 40 shots.

Despite the overtime loss, the Sabres gain a point in the standings and move into a tie with Tampa Bay for the overall lead in the league.  The Sabres play at Nashville Monday night, then they're back home Tuesday to host Toronto in their first game with the Maple Leafs this season.