Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Panthers win last home game
SUNRISE — Routines are typically regimented in the hockey world. Players skate in the morning, some stretch after, they go home, nap and then eat their preferred pregame meal — for some Panthers, it’s chicken Parmesan. Panthers coach Bob Boughner usually arrives 3 1⁄2 hours early to prepare for the game, reviewing opposing tape.
But before the Florida Panthers’ 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres in the home finale, the routine was disrupted, and Saturday night’s game was deemed meaningless. Instead of ignoring the rest of the NHL, the Panthers were forced to pay attention to Philadelphia’s eventual 5-0 win over the New York Rangers. The result eliminated Florida from playoff contention.
Boughner cleared his afternoon schedule by finishing his preparation early to flip between the FlyersRangers game and The Masters. Other Panthers said they would watch pieces of the game that would decide their fate. Some preferred simply checking the score.
“I’m sure that TV will be on in the dressing room before the game and guys will be following it,” Boughner said before the game. “That’s the situation we’re in. … Nowadays, with all the technology, they’re going to find out the score if they want to find out the score. It’s something that we live and die by today, so why not?”
Tuning in was all the Panthers could do as their destiny was sealed with a Flyers win. Had Philadelphia lost in regulation, Florida would have made the playoffs with wins in their last two games.
Before 6 p.m., the game in Sunrise mattered little. Boughner altered his lineup to include rookie Henrik Borgström (making his home debut) and Radim Vrbata (playing his final game in Sunrise). Borgström, 20, signed with the Panthers last week after his NCAA season ended. Vrbata, 36, played 16 seasons in the NHL and will likely retire after the season ends.
Jonathan Huberdeau, Colton Sceviour and Nick Bjugstad all scored in the first period against Buffalo, building a lead that James Reimer kept. Aleksander Barkov (shoulder) did not play, and neither did Roberto Luongo or captain Derek MacKenzie.
Huberdeau’s goal was the 27th of the season, extending a career-high for most goals in a season. Sceviour’s 11th tied a careerhigh. Bjugstad’s goal was his 48th point of the season, also a career-high.
Vincent Trocheck added an empty-net goal with 1:23 left in the game.
Florida’s win set a new record for number of home wins in a season for the Panthers. It was the 27th victory of the season at the BB&T Center, surpassing the record set in 1999-2000.
The Panthers also reached 94 points on the season, tying for the third-best finish in franchise history. The only other seasons with a better record were 2015-16 (103 points and an Atlantic Division championship) and 1999-2000 (98 points and a playoff berth).
The victory secured a sweep of Buffalo during the season. Florida went 4-0-0 against the Sabres, winning the four games by a combined score of 15-6.
The Panthers finish their season on Sunday night in Boston.