Vitek Vanecek stops 21 shots in Florida debut, Panthers blank Sabres 4-0 for sixth straight win

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Florida Panthers goaltender Vitek Vanecek (41) defends the goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) is congratulated by defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell (15) reacts after scoring a goal against Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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Florida Panthers goaltender Vitek Vanecek (41) and defenseman Seth Jones (3) defend the goal against Buffalo Sabres center Joshua Norris (13) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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Buffalo Sabres right wing JJ Peterka (77) attempts a shot on the goal as Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell (15) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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Florida Panthers left wing Tomas Nosek (92) skates with the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) reacts after Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell, not shown, scored a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, left, defends a shot on the goal by Florida Panthers center Nico Sturm (8) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (23) and Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23), right, go for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) goes for the puck against Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) and center Aleksander Barkov (16) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

By ALANIS THAMES

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Vitek Vanecek stopped all 21 shots he faced in his Florida debut, and the Panthers beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-0 on Saturday night.

A.J. Greer, Carter Verhaeghe, Anton Lundell and Sam Bennett all scored as the Panthers won their sixth-straight game. Vanecek, acquired from San Jose on Wednesday, got his first shutout of the season and 10th of his career.

Captain Aleksander Barkov had an assist, giving him six points in his past two games. Nate Schmidt added two assists.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, made 32 saves for the Sabres, who lost their sixth straight game.

Takeaways

Sabres: Buffalo could not get much going on offense despite entering the game with the the 11th-ranked offense in the NHL at 3.18 goals per game. The Sabres have been outscored 28-14 during their losing streak.

Panthers: Florida has outscored opponents 20-5 during its winning streak. The Panthers have not trailed in a game in two weeks and have killed off 19 straight penalties.

Key moment

With under three minutes left in the second, Lundell made it 3-0 when he put home Schmidt’s rebound for his 15th goal of the season.

Key stat

Aaron Ekblad’s assist on Verhaeghe’s goal extended his assist streak to six games, which ties the longest assist streak by a Panthers defenseman in franchise history. The other blueliners to record a six-game streak with the Panthers: Brandon Montour (2022-23), MacKenzie Weegar (2020-21), Jay Bouwmeester (2005-06) and Robert Svehla (1995-96).

Up next

Sabres host Edmonton on Monday, and Panthers play at Boston on Tuesday to begin a six-game trip.

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