Ostlund power-play goal lifts Sabres to 5-3 win over Panthers

Noah Ostlund scored the go-ahead goal with 7:15 remaining in the third period on the power play, and the Buffalo Sabres beat the Florida Panthers 5-3 on Monday. Buffalo’s late lead proved decisive as the teams combined for goals in the final minutes after an eventful stretch earlier in the game.

The scoring turn that mattered most for the Sabres came in the third period, when Ostlund converted on a man-advantage to swing momentum firmly in Buffalo’s direction. With the Panthers still able to respond, the goal nonetheless put the Sabres in a position they were able to defend through the closing stages.

Buffalo’s offense also received a major moment from its captain. Rasmus Dahlin scored his second goal of the season before leaving the game with an upper-body injury early in the second period, according to the game report. Dahlin did not return, creating an immediate adjustment for the Sabres at both ends of the ice.

The injury theme extended beyond Buffalo. The game took place in a context where both teams lost key players to injury during the contest, a factor that shaped substitutions and ice-time allocations across the lineup. For Buffalo, the challenge was finding defensive stability and maintaining pressure after losing a central piece of its structure. For Florida, it meant trying to generate the type of momentum that can erase a late-game deficit even when roles are shifting.

With the Panthers working to close the gap, Buffalo’s ability to manage the final stretch mattered. Holding a late lead often comes down to special teams execution, shot discipline, and limiting high-danger chances when the opponent presses. Ostlund’s power-play strike provided a cushion, and the Sabres ultimately converted it into the win.

What to watch next is how both clubs respond after Monday’s injury interruptions. Dahlin’s absence is the clearest immediate storyline, and the Sabres’ next games will show how quickly they can recalibrate their defensive pairings and power-play setup. For Florida, the question will be whether it can turn the late-game goal output into more consistent control earlier in games, particularly in matchups where special teams swings decide the final margin.