Sabres 2, Panthers 6: So Much For Being .500 Edition

by Zachary Zielonka on Dec 17, 2010 10:17 PM EST in Game Recaps

SUNRISE FL - DECEMBER 17: David Booth #10 of the Florida Panthers scores a goal as Jordan Leopold #3 and goaltender Ryan Miller #30 of the Buffalo Sabres fail to defend the net on December 17 2010 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

The Buffalo Sabres were coming off one of their better wins of the season against the Boston Bruins and were on the verge of being ".500" since the beginning of the season. Then they went and laid an egg against the Florida Panthers.

The Panthers looked like the better team throughout this game as the Sabres allowed four goals in the first period and six goals overall. The Panthers found ways to score in all areas: even strength, shorthanded, and even powerplay. They also scored early and often, scoring their first goal within the first two minutes of the game.

Marty Reasoner scored twice while Brian McCabe, David Booth, Michael Frolik, and Steven Weiss each scored a goal of their own. Shawn Matthias, Evegeny Dadonov, and Chris Higgins each had two assists while Dennis Wideman, Jason Garrison, and Steven Weiss each registered an assist of their own.

For the Sabres, Tim Connolly and Derek Roy scored the lone goals for the Sabres, Connolly's coming on the powerplay. Myers, Ennis, Hecht, and Lalime all registered an assist.

The story of this game comes in how bad the defense and Ryan Miller looked in this game. A countless number of times, Panther forwards were standing alone with wide open shots on net. If that wasn't the case, Ryan Miller was way out of position on other goals that left wide open nets. Miller was pulled after the first period, allowing four goals on 10 shots. Lalime relieved Miller, allowing two goals on 16 shots in the final two periods.

If the Sabres did not find themselves in defensive trouble, they found themselves in penalty trouble. Each team took seven penalties, resulting in five powerplays for each team. Each team capitalized once on the powerplay bringing the Florida Panthers total in powerplay goals to 10 on the season.

The Buffalo Sabres will have a short turnaround time to think about this game as they head to Tampa to face the Lightning on Saturday night. For those who want to watch the misery that is this game, here are the highlights:

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Games like that make baby Jesus cry...

by Munchausen on Dec 17, 2010 10:26 PM EST reply actions

Well...

That was awesome :-/
They better not play like that against Fla next Thursday because Im going to that game. A strong game tonight for sure… They better come out with a fire under their asses. Freakin 2-6?! … Jeeeeez

Lets Go Buff a lo!!!

by bflo on Dec 18, 2010 8:29 AM EST reply actions

I’ll be at the Tampa game. 5th row from the Ice on the blueline that the Sabres shoot twice into. I’ll ensure the “Let’s go Buff-A-Lo” chants are loud.

"Who else but Chris Drury!" - 2007
"Who else but...... um... yea.. about that.." 2010

by FloridaBuffalo on Dec 18, 2010 8:47 AM EST reply actions

Good Luck

Last year you likely would have seen the Sabres collect a win; this year, you won’t.

by Geolover on Dec 18, 2010 6:54 PM EST up reply actions

seriously dude.. Go Away. You seriously just need to stop posting all together. With each and every post you make yourself sound more and more silly. You are not a fan. You are just some negative old man.

"Who else but Chris Drury!" - 2007
"Who else but...... um... yea.. about that.." 2010

by FloridaBuffalo on Dec 19, 2010 1:21 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

blech.

Fatang Fatang.

by NeverendingOptimism on Dec 18, 2010 12:06 PM EST reply actions

No Surprise

The Panthers’ management improved their team in the off season; the Sabres’ management didn’t!

by Geolover on Dec 18, 2010 6:53 PM EST reply actions

care to elaborate?

losing Nathan Horton and Keith Ballard while gaining Dennis Wideman and Marty Reasoner.. That’s about the key points of their off season.. Sounds so much better than the Sabres… SARCASM Intended.

Do you even think before you post your garbage or do you make it up on the spot.

"Who else but Chris Drury!" - 2007
"Who else but...... um... yea.. about that.." 2010

by FloridaBuffalo on Dec 19, 2010 1:28 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs