The Buffalo Sabres earned a 3-2 win over Montreal Canadiens in their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup on Tuesday night, thanks to a decisive third-period goal from Zach Benson – on his 21st birthday.
With the game tied early in the third, Benson capitalized on a power play after taking a feed from Josh Doan in front of the net. He settled the puck and slipped a backhand shot past Montreal goalie Jakub Dobes at the 4:41 mark while the Canadiens were shorthanded following a holding penalty against Jake Evans.
Mattias Samuelsson opened the scoring midway through the first period for Buffalo. The Sabres briefly thought they had doubled the lead moments later when a review confirmed the puck crossed the line on a shot from Jack Quinn, but the goal was overturned after Montreal successfully challenged for goalie interference.
Cole Caufield gave the Canadiens a 2-1 edge with a late power-play goal just seconds before intermission. Buffalo tied the game in unusual fashion during the second period on a lengthy power play after Montreal’s Alexandre Carrier received a double minor for high-sticking Rasmus Dahlin. Tage Thompson dumped the puck in from beyond center ice, and it took an awkward bounce off the glass before deflecting into the net off Dobes’ leg.
The Canadiens later failed to convert during their own four-minute advantage after Bowen Byram was penalized for a high stick on Alexandre Texier, allowing Buffalo to regain momentum and eventually secure the win.
Prior to the game, Buffalo made a change in net, starting Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen after losses in Games 2 and 3. The goaltender responded with 28 saves in his first appearance since the opening round against Boston.
The best-of-seven series is now tied 2-2, with Game 5 set for Thursday in Buffalo before the teams return to Montreal for Game 6 on Saturday. The winner advances to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference final.
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