A KID'S GAME: Bjugstad and Ekblad help fuel Florida's 3-2 win over visiting Sabres ... Kopecky pots first goal of the season ... Injury updates

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Roberto Luongo's shutout streak against the Sabres came to an end Saturday night.

Luckily for the Panthers, Nick Bjugstad and Aaron Ekblad continued to put up points.

Bjugstad's goal off an assist from Ekblad in the final seconds of the second period was the difference in the Panthers 3-2 win over Buffalo at BB&T Center.

Ekblad had the primary assist on Florida's final two goals as Tomas Kopecky got his first of the season after deflecting a long shot.

"This was a good win, I'm pretty happy about it,'' said Ekblad, who had three assists Saturday to give him six points in the past four games.

"I knew [Kopecky] tipped it but I don't know how. It was a knuckleball on my end. He got a stick on it and it went in. I got the puck there as quick as I can and good things happen.''

Said coach Gerard Gallant: "He put some pucks to the net and was rewarded for it.''

The Panthers, who have beaten the Sabres five straight times, took a 1-0 lead in the first off a long snapshot from Brad Boyes.

Luongo, who had shutout the Sabres in three straight starts, held Buffalo scoreless into the second.

With 8:58 left in the second, Drew Stafford finally ended Luongo's streak against Buffalo at 211 minutes 2 seconds.

"It took a perfect play from Gretzky on the one-timer there,'' Luongo joked. "It was a hell of a play by them, a hell of a shot. I'm sure they were happy to get one by me.''

After Kopecky scored to give Florida back the lead, Brian Gionta tied it again by deflecting a puck as Luongo gave up two goals off three shots.

With 16.2 seconds left in the second period, Bjugstad knocked a loose puck past Michal Neuvirth to give Florida a lead it wouldn't relinquish.

"Obviously every goal is important and that one was timing,'' Kopecky said. "It gave us momentum going into the third.''

-- Center Dave Bolland didn't return Saturday although Gallant said he was close enough to be considered a game-time decision.

Florida can activate Bolland, out since Oct. 17 with a groin injury, at any time and currently have two open roster spots.

Gallant said he didn't know whether Scottie Upshall (ankle) or Aleksander Barkov (hand) would travel with the team to St. Louis on Sunday afternoon.

If they don't, he said, they would probably meet the team in Detroit for Wednesday's practice.

-- The Panthers will hold an open workout Sunday at the IceDen in Coral Springs begining at 11 a.m. It is free and open to the public.

Posted with Blogsy