Canadiens Thrashed by Sabres; Brutal Loss Forces Game 7
There’s two words Montreal Canadiens fans didn’t want to hear following Saturday night. Game 7. Yet, that’s where this series […]
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect There’s two words Montreal Canadiens fans didn’t want to hear following Saturday night. Game 7. Yet, that’s where this series is going after the Buffalo Sabres owned the final 40 minutes at the Bell Centre.
After Rasmus Dahlin scored 32 seconds into the game, Montreal jumped on the Buffalo Sabres quick, putting up three goals in the first period on the sticks of Arber Xekhaj, Ivan Demidov , and Jake Evans. After Lindy Ruff opted for Ukka Pekka-Luukkonen in Game 6, he quickly pulled him for Alex Lyon following the first period Montreal barrage. The Habs had the crowd believing it was over before it really started.
But a crucial high-sticking penalty by Mike Matheson allowed the Sabres to creep back within a goal on the power play thanks to Jason Zucker to send the game into the first intermission 3-2. That’s when you could feel the momentum shift. Buffalo came out flying in the second.
Zach Benson potted one early tie it, then Jack Quinn ripped a snapshot on the power play to put them ahead. Konsta Helenius added an insurance marker to give Buffalo their first—and indefinite—multi-goal lead of the game to send Buffalo into the second intermission holding onto a 5-3 lead. The third period remained all Sabres.