Tonight’s game between the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens was an entertaining game throughout.
The Sabres got off to a rough start. Marco Scandella turned the puck over on a careless play with the puck trying to throw it up the wall. The puck ended up on the stick of Max Domi who skated to the middle of the ice and beat Carter Hutton less than two minutes into the game.
Montreal carried the pace of play early in the game. The Sabres seemed to struggle with the speed and were feeding into it with neutral zone turnovers, allowing the Habs to come back in transition.
A little after the mid-point of the period the home team started to get going, lead primarily by the fourth line.
After one it was 1-0 in favor of the Canadiens.
The Sabres carried over the strong second half into the middle frame. They had a few good opportunities, but were unable to beat Antti Niemi early on.
Finally Jeff Skinner made a nice play to evade the Habs defender and then fed Jason Pominville who tapped in an easy one to tie it at one.
Skinner ▶️ Pommer 🚨 pic.twitter.com/kSmaRYNvjq
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) October 26, 2018
Scandella continued his rough night by being beat out on an icing play. After a miscommunication, former Sabre Joel Armia scooped up the puck and wrapped it around on Hutton to put the Habs back in front.
Again, the Sabres rebounded. Pominville scored his second of the game on the power play in the later part of the period to tie the game at two after 40 minutes.
How about this shot? 😱
With this goal, Jason Pominville has tied Thomas Vanek for the 10th-most points in #Sabres franchise history (497). pic.twitter.com/eyEYfVRyKh
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) October 26, 2018
The Habs jumped back in front again early in the third period. Some poor defense allowed Domi to skate in for his second of the game to make it 3-2.
Even though they fell behind, the Sabres kept the pressure on. They were heavily outshooting outshooting the Canadiens in the final period.
Once again, the Sabres battled back. Sam Reinhart fought through a puck to the ribs and stood in front of the net waiting for the opportunity. Conor Sheary made a nice cross ice look to Jake McCabe and he then fed a wide open Reinhart to tie it at three.
It’s lit. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/6Lq4L4a40T
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) October 26, 2018
We appeared to be headed for overtime, but a late tripping penalty from Armia gave the Sabres an opportunity to win in regulation.
With a minute remaining, Kyle Okposo blew a wrist shot off the post and in to give the Sabres their first lead of the game and third win in a row.
Dahlin to Okposo.
Game-winning goal.
RJ on the call. #CheersToHockey pic.twitter.com/UlTIxKgSg4
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) October 26, 2018
Sabres look for their first four-game winning streak since 2014 on Saturday when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets
Final: Sabres 4, Canadiens 3
Shots on Goal: Sabres 42 | Canadiens 22
Sabres Goals: Pominville (3, 4), Reinhart (1), and Okposo (2) (PPG)
Canadiens Goals: Domi (3, 4) and Armia (2)
Three Stars of the Game
1. Jason Pominville (2 G)
2. Jake McCabe (2 A)
3. Kyle Okposo (1 G, GWG)