Sabres lose to Panthers in overtime to begin season-ending road trip

Jokiharju expressed his love for the game and the shared desire among players to have great games and end the season on a high note, despite missing the playoffs. He was part of the Sabres team that fought hard to kill a five-minute penalty and take the closely contested game into overtime. However, the Florida Panthers emerged victorious with a 3-2 win. Aleksander Barkov’s turnover and Sam Reinhart’s winning goal secured the victory for the Panthers in the extra period.

Jokiharju acknowledged the disappointment of not winning, emphasizing the players’ desire to win every game. During the game, Connor Clifton’s match penalty resulted in a challenging penalty kill for Buffalo, limiting chances for the Panthers’ power play. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s 39-save effort ensured the Sabres held strong during the elongated man-advantage. Buffalo’s penalty kill also successfully defended against a 4-on-3 power play in overtime, with Jokiharju expressing the strategy to keep the opponent to the outside and create challenging opportunities.

The players’ efforts in the penalty kill were evident, with Jordan Greenway, Owen Power, and Jokiharju leading the shorthanded ice time. Greenway highlighted the team’s effectiveness in the penalty kill, crediting their ability to pressure at the right moments and win crucial battles to clear the puck.