Alex Lyon made 27 saves against his former Florida teammates.
Buffalo Sabres defeated the Florida Panthers 3-2.
This is the second time this month Lyon has beaten his former team, Florida.
Malenstyn, Tuch and Krebs scored for Buffalo; Tkachuk and Bennett for Florida.
Buffalo is tied for second in the Atlantic Division; Florida is struggling to make the playoffs.
Florida played without defenseman Uvis Balinskis for a significant portion of the game.
📖 Full Retelling
Alex Lyon made 27 saves to beat his former Florida teammates for the second this month, helping the Buffalo Sabres top the Panthers 3-2 on Friday night for their eighth victory in 11 games. The game took place in Sunrise, Florida on February 27, 2026. Lyon played for the Panthers during the 2022-23 season. Beck Malenstyn, Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs scored for Buffalo, while Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett scored for Florida. The Sabres are tied with Detroit for second place in the Atlantic Division, while the Panthers are in danger of missing the playoffs.
🏷️ Themes
NHL Hockey, Player Rivalry, Playoff Standings, Team Performance, Injury Impact
Entity Intersection Graph
No entity connections available yet for this article.
Deep Analysis
Why It Matters
The Buffalo Sabres' victory is significant as they continue their push for a playoff spot after years of missing the postseason. Alex Lyon's performance against his former team highlights player transitions and rivalries within the NHL. The Florida Panthers' struggles indicate a challenging season for a previously successful franchise.
Context & Background
Alex Lyon played for the Florida Panthers during the 2022-23 season.
The Buffalo Sabres have missed the playoffs for 14 consecutive years, an NHL record.
The Florida Panthers are the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions but are currently in danger of missing the playoffs.
What Happens Next
The Sabres will play the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, while the Panthers will travel to play the New York Islanders on Sunday. These upcoming games will be crucial for both teams as they aim to improve their playoff standings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many saves did Alex Lyon make?
Alex Lyon made 27 saves in the game.
What is the current Atlantic Division standings position of the Sabres?
The Sabres are tied with Detroit for second place in the Atlantic Division.
What is the Florida Panthers' current position in the Eastern Conference standings?
The Florida Panthers are eight points behind Boston for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Who scored for the Buffalo Sabres?
Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, and Rasmus Dahlin scored for the Buffalo Sabres.
Original Source
Lyon makes 27 saves against former Florida teammates, Sabres top Panthers 3-2 Alex Lyon made 27 saves to beat his former Florida teammates for the second this month, helping the Buffalo Sabres top the Panthers 3-2 on Friday night for their eighth victory in 11 games By The Associated Press February 27, 2026, 10:07 PM SUNRISE, Fla. -- Alex Lyon made 27 saves to beat his former Florida teammates for the second this month, helping the Buffalo Sabres top the Panthers 3-2 on Friday night for their eighth victory in 11 games. Lyon played for the Panthers during the 2022-23 season. He has won two of his past four starts — both against Florida. Beck Malenstyn gave Buffalo a 2-1 lead with 8:22 left, sending a slap shot from the point through traffic and past Daniil Tarasov. Florida challenged for goalie interference after Buffalo defenseman Mattias Samuelsson’s stick made contact with Tarasov’s glove, but the goal stood. The Sabres won 2-1 at New Jersey on Wednesday night in their return from the Olympic break. They are tied with Detroit for second place in the Atlantic Division. Buffalo has missed the playoffs an NHL-record 14 straight years. The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers are in serious danger of missing the playoffs. Florida, which has lost six of its past eight, is eight points behind Boston for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with 23 games left. Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs also scored for Buffalo. Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett scored for Florida. Buffalo got a needed insurance goal with 1:17 remaining on an empty-netter from Krebs. Florida cut it to a goal with 35 seconds left when Bennett’s shot went off the post and Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin inadvertently swept the puck in off of Lyon. Popular Reads Hillary Clinton after Epstein deposition says she was asked about UFOs, 'Pizzagate' Feb 26, 8:18 PM Cuba says 4 killed on Florida-registered speedboat were attempting 'infiltration' Feb 25, 8:26 PM Nancy Guthrie live update...
