SABRES PUT ON A SCORING CLINIC AGAINST CANADIENS TO FORCE GAME 7
In a thrilling display of offensive prowess, the Buffalo Sabres triumphed over the Montreal Canadiens with an impressive score of 8-3, thereby pushing the series to a decisive Game 7. This match marked one of the highest-scoring playoff games in Sabres history, falling just short of the all-time record of nine goals achieved in a 1992 matchup against the Boston Bruins.
Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin emerged as the standout player, amassing five points, which included one goal and four assists, setting a new franchise record for points by a defenseman in a playoff game. Forward Tage Thompson also showcased his skills, contributing with four points—one goal and three assists—while goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who came in as a relief, demonstrated remarkable capability by turning away all 17 shots he faced after replacing starter Alex Lyon early in the first period.
The Sabres will head into Game 7 with a record of 1-1 when playing as the home team in such pivotal matchups (1-6 overall in franchise history), while the Canadiens boast a 8-6 record on the road in Game 7s (16-9 overall).
RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS
The match was filled with excitement typical of playoff intensity. Just 32 seconds into the game, Dahlin scored, marking the quickest game-opening goal by a defenseman in the postseason since 2021. This achievement placed him behind Derek Roy’s astonishing nine-second goal in an elimination game back in 2007.
In response, Arber Xhekaj found the net with a long-awaited goal one minute into the match, leveling the score at 1-1 off Montreal’s first shot. The Canadiens then exploded offensively, scoring two more goals within minutes on just two additional shots. Ivan Demidov capitalized during a power play, securing the Canadiens a 2-1 lead. Following that, Jake Evans netted a short-handed goal, making it 3-1, marking a remarkable offensive stretch.
Lane Hutson joined an elite group as the sixth Canadiens defenseman to accumulate over 11 assists in a single playoff run, achieving something last done by Chris Chelios and Petr Svoboda in 1989. The Canadiens’ early scoring spree featured a tracking record—the first time since 2010 that a team scored on their initial three shots in a playoff game.
After conceding three quick goals, the Sabres made the strategic decision to pull Alex Lyon, bringing in Luukkonen, who had previously been taken out during their Game 5 defeat. This shift proved beneficial, as Luukkonen successfully saved multiple attempts from the Canadiens throughout the second period, providing Buffalo a much-needed defensive respite.
The Sabres began their comeback when Jason Zucker scored right before the end of the first period, marking one of their four power-play goals. Zach Benson reignited the momentum by equalizing at 3-3 at the start of the second period, capitalizing on the team’s renewed vigor.
With the Sabres slowly taking control, Jack Quinn successfully scored the Sabres’ second power play goal in the latter part of the second period, reinvigorating their lead with under ten minutes remaining in the quarter. Not long after, Konsta Helenius also netted a goal, extending the Sabres’ lead to 5-3.
As they entered the final period, Buffalo held a commanding 28-15 shot lead over Montreal. The Canadiens took the drastic step of swapping their goaltender Jacob Fowler into the game after falling behind further.
In the closing stages, with the Sabres firmly ahead, Thompson sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, bringing the score to a definitive 7-3. Rookie Zach Metsa added to the festivities by scoring his own playoff goal, finalizing the match at 8-3 as both teams exchanged physical confrontations.
The impressive victory not only displayed the Sabres’ offensive capabilities but also emphasized their resurgence in the postseason, looking forward to the climactic Game 7 at home, having outshone the Canadiens with a 36-22 shot advantage.
