Buffalo Sabres beat the Montreal Canadiens 5‑3 on Tuesday night at the KeyBank Center, snapping a three‑game losing streak and moving above the .500 mark in the Eastern Conference. Filip Zadina led the offense with two goals and an assist, while the Sabres’ power play converted twice to secure the win.
Game Summary
First Period Action
Filip Zadina opened the scoring on the power play at 4:12, slipping the puck behind a scrambling Canadiens defense. Montreal answered quickly as Nick Suzuki set up Cole Caufield, whose wrist shot tied the game 1‑1.
Second Period Surge
Rasmus Sundin broke the deadlock with a backhanded tally off a cross‑ice feed, giving Buffalo a 2‑1 lead. Brendan Gallagher restored parity for Montreal 90 seconds later. The Sabres reclaimed the lead as Dominik Simon curled a low‑striped shot into the net on the power play, making it 3‑2 just before the period ended.
Third Period Finish
Taylor Hall reignited Buffalo’s attack, blasting a slap‑shot from the point past goaltender Jared Perrin for a 4‑2 advantage. Montreal fought back, with Jesperi Kotkaniemi scoring on a one‑timer to narrow the gap to 4‑3. Sabres forward Filip Zadina sealed the victory with a backhanded finish, completing a 5‑3 win.
Key Takeaways
- Balanced Scoring: Four different Sabres players found the back of the net, showcasing depth.
- Power‑Play Efficiency: Buffalo converted both power‑play opportunities, while Montreal’s penalty kill struggled at 2‑4.
- Goaltending: Ukko Kirk made 31 saves on 34 shots, providing a solid last line of defense.
- Standings Impact: The win moves the Sabres into the upper half of the Atlantic Division, within a half‑point of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Implications for Both Teams
For the Canadiens, the loss highlights defensive lapses and a need to tighten special‑team play as they aim to climb out of the conference’s lower tier. Coach Martin St. Louis must address the power‑play vulnerabilities to keep playoff hopes alive.
The Sabres can build on this performance, using their offensive versatility and improved defensive identity to sustain momentum heading into the mid‑season stretch.
Looking Ahead
Montreal’s next game is at home against the New York Islanders, where they will look to rebound and solidify their defense. Buffalo travels to face the Boston Bruins, a test that will determine if their recent offensive fireworks can translate into consistent success against a top‑tier opponent.