Florida Panthers fall to Buffalo without captain Barkov
- The Florida Panthers lost 5-2 to the Buffalo Sabres, missing key players due to injuries.
- Captain Aleksander Barkov is expected to be out for two to three weeks after an injury sustained in a previous game.
- Coach Paul Maurice remains optimistic about the team's ability to adapt and improve despite the current challenges.
In the United States, the Florida Panthers faced a challenging game against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night, suffering a 5-2 defeat. This loss came in the wake of captain Aleksander Barkov's injury, which he sustained during a game against Ottawa, where he crashed into the boards. Barkov is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks, impacting the team's performance. Additionally, the Panthers were without forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Tomas Nosek, further complicating their lineup. Coach Paul Maurice expressed optimism about the team's ability to adapt, noting their past successes without key players. Despite the setbacks, defenseman Nate Schmidt and forward Sam Bennett managed to score for the Panthers, but goalie Spencer Knight struggled, allowing four goals on 26 shots. The team is looking to improve as they prepare for their upcoming games, including two in Finland against the Dallas Stars. Maurice emphasized the need for the team to play a style that allows them to cope with injuries, indicating a focus on resilience and teamwork moving forward.