Florida defenseman Brandon Montour logged a goal and two assists during Tuesday's victory

The Florida Panthers took home a hard earned two points on Tuesday night against the visiting Buffalo Sabres.

Florida didn't score first, or last, but they did pump just enough goals past Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to earn a slim 3-2 victory at Amerant Bank Arena.

Buffalo opened the scoring with a power play goal that came midway through the opening period on a nice shot by Dylan Cozens, but their lead wouldn't last very long.

A pair of Panthers goals – one on a quick snap shot from inside the left circle by Sam Bennett, the other a quick power play tally by Matthew Tkachuk less than three minutes later – gave Florida its first lead as the teams headed into the intermission.

When they Panthers came out for the second period, they looked more like the team that has come at their opponent in waves of physicality and puck pressure.

They dominated even strength possession and if not for the heroics of Luukkonen, the game could have gotten away from Buffalo during that middle frame.

To the Sabres credit, they played some of their best hockey of the night after taking the ice for the third period.

Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky stood tall and helped Florida withstand the barrage from Buffalo long enough for Florida to get another chance on the power play.

Brandon Montour's third point of the night would put the Cats ahead 3-1 with just over 10 minutes to go, and the insurance goal would prove to be quite valuable.

That's because Buffalo got one back about three minutes later off the stick of Tage Thompson. His seventh shot of the game cut Florida's lead in half, but that would be as close as the Sabres would get.

Despite being outshot by the visitors 16-8 during the third period, Bobrovsky and the Panthers were able to take home the two points.

On to Montreal.

Here are some thoughts and observations from Tuesday's matchup with the Sabres:

With a goal and two helpers, Brandon Montour now has four multi-point outings over his past five games, racking up three goals and 10 points during that span.

Benentt has three goals and six points over his past five games.

Bouncing back from a rare pointless game, Tkachuk logged a goal and an assist, giving him 16 points in nine games this month, and 40 points since Jan. 1.

Bobrovsky finished with 31 saves, including 15 in the third period. He hasn't given up more than two goals in a game since mid-January. 

Another solid night in the special teams department, with Florida's power play scoring twice and the PK going 3-for-4.

While Verhaeghe logged his 11th point in 10 February games, he also left the game midway through the third period and did not return. 

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