ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com

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BUFFALO -- It was only last week that the Buffalo Sabres were looking to return to .500 hockey for the first time since November. Thanks to a 5-1 drubbing in the Florida Panthers' 10th straight win, Buffalo is now six games under that mark.

Ryan O'Reilly scored the Blue & Gold's lone goal Tuesday night at First Niagara Center, a power play goal at 2:44 of the second period, assisted by Jack Eichel and Jamie McGinn.

Florida goals came from Jromir Jagr, Derek MacKenzie, Corban Knight, Jonathan Huberdeau and Brandon Pirri. The Panthers, 24-12-4, got four of those goals in 26 shots against Sabres netminder Linus Ullmark. Pirri's was an empty netter with 81 seconds remaining in the game.

Sabres Head Coach Dan Bylsma said the team came out flat. "I didn't like the way we executed. I didn't like the way we came out with the puck. We turned the puck over over and ... mismanagement. And gave them really every opportunity we could muster to give them to get the lead. To come out and get the first goal. And that's disappointing."

Buffalo next plays Friday in Chicago against the Blackhawks, who at 24-13-4 have the fifth best record in the NHL.

NOTES: 

• With a 32-27 edge in shots, the Sabres out-shot their opponent for the third straight game, but fell to 0-3-0 in those games.
• The Sabres have now out-shot opponents in 21 of 40 games this season after doing so only 10 times last season.
• Ryan O'Reilly's goal gave him 11 points (5+6) in his last nine games against Florida and 17 points (9+8) in his last 17 games overall.
• With his assist, Jack Eichel pushed his point streak to a career-best four games (2+4) and now has 12 points (4+8) in his last eight games.
• With his 45th career goal against Buffalo, Jaromir Jagr broke a tie with Daniel Alfredsson for most career goals against the Sabres by any NHL player.

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