Sports briefs

Sabres shut out Panthers 3-0 for first home win

After getting booed off the ice in their last home game, the Buffalo Sabres received a standing ovation from the crowd at KeyBank Center on Saturday.

Anders Nilsson made 33 saves in his second NHL shutout and Sam Reinhart had a goal and an assist for Buffalo in a 3-0 victory over the Florida Panthers.

Johan Larsson and Kyle Okposo also scored and the Sabres (2-3-2) snapped a four-game winless streak with their first home victory.

Buffalo had one goal in its first two home games, but scored in all three periods Saturday.

“That’s the way we have to play,” Reinhart said. “Right from the start with that mentality, and that’s been the struggle this year. To finally come out with a big push in the first and continue that with all four lines was important for us tonight.”

Roberto Luongo stopped 22 shots for Florida. The Panthers (3-4-1) have lost five of six and are winless in the first three of a four-game road trip.