The first period was the Sabres best period of the game. They controlled the play for the majority of the opening 20 minutes. Sabres got on the board first on the power play. Victor Antipin let a point shot go that was deflected past Roberto Luongo by Kyle Okposo for his second of the season. The Sabres led 1-0 after the first period and appeared on their way to a good night.
The good times ended for the Sabres after the first. Once the second period began it was all Florida.