Buffalo’s Top Players Putting on a No-Show
Score: Buffalo Sabres 3-6 Montreal Canadiens
Shots: BUF 36-26 MON
Buffalo Sabres Goals: Zucker 1st (Quinn, Timmins) Doan 3rd (Power) Helenius 1st (Samuelsson, Dahlin)
Montreal Canadiens Goals: Caufield 4th (Suzuki, Slafkovský) Texier 3rd (Carrier, Danault) Anderson 3rd (Hutson, Danault) Evans 1st (Demidov, Newhook) Suzuki 4th PPG (Slafkovský, Hutson) Demidov 1st PPG (Slafkovský, Suzuki)
Plus 1: Insanity on Ice
Just what the doctor ordered for the Sabres as just two minutes in, Jason Zucker was finally credited with his first goal of the playoffs. While applying a screen in front, Jack Quinn’s shot deflected off Zucker’s skate and pinballed into the net to give Buffalo the lead. Conor Timmins, who was questionable to play, picked up the other assist. It didn’t last long and that would be a theme.
Montreal’s Cole Caufield scored four and a half minutes later, redirecting a pass into the open side of the net on Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Now tied at 1 each, the Sabres would answer right back with Josh Doan netting his 3rd of the playoffs. After some hard work behind the net from Josh Norris and Zach Benson, the puck found it’s way back to Owen Power who dished it over to Doan who was in Tage Thompson’s office. His one timer found twine to give Buffalo the lead back. It lasted 9 seconds.
Alexandre Texier deflected a point shot off his skate going way wide that UPL had no chance on and suddenly it was 2-2. Just a wild fury of goal scoring from both teams to start this one. The Sabres thankfully had one more in them. Just seconds past the 10 minute mark, Konsta Helenius scored off a rush with Rasmus Dahlin jumping into the attack. The Sabres’ captain gained the line along the wall and found Konsta in the slot. Hell-Boy lost it for a moment, pulled up to gather the puck and quickly fired it past a surprised Dobeš for the Habs. Five goals scored in half a period by both teams. Things settled down after that as the goal judge’s red lights got a break. The chances were still there at both ends though, with Luukkonen the busier of the two goaltenders. The Canadiens had the shot advantage at 11-9 after one.
Minus 1: Second Periods Stink!
Buffalo came out strong with some great sustained pressure, getting 4 of the first 5 shots. Tage Thompson had a partial break on Dobeš but could not lift the puck over him. He waited too long to shoot. So close to extending the lead for TNT and his mates. But not being able to score with those quality chances would prove costly. On a face-off, Montreal would gain possession and the Sabres were all caught watching the puck carrier Lane Hutson along the near side. The dangerous Dman’s pass found Josh Anderson on the far side of the crease and he tapped it home with UPL out of position. The game was now tied at 3 each and it became clear that Montreal was not going away.
The atmosphere in the arena sank about this time. The crowd was antsy already and the team was playing very tentative. It would show in their performance for the rest of the period.
The Habs increased the pressure and Luukkonen had to be sharp, making several good stops. Slafkovský for Montreal then took the game’s first penalty, a high sticking call. Buffalo could only muster one shot and the Canadiens killed it off. Now late in the period, Jake Evans would cash in after the puck squeaked by UPL and was batted over the line. Buffalo then took their first penalty (Thompson) and the Habs scored within seconds, like a cheat code in a video game. Another costly face-off loss. It was a complete collapse from the home team as Montreal increased their lead to 5-3. A total disaster of a period.
Minus 2: Nothing Doing
Alex Lyon came on to replace Luukkonen in the 3rd frame. A few goals he had no chance on and he made some strong saves, but Lindy Ruff made the move to shake it up. Buffalo’s D didn’t do him any favors either, that is for sure.
But UPL was NOT on his “A” game, though. The Canadiens were relentless all game, playing well from behind then taking control as the Sabres continued to slip. Rasmus Dahlin took a cross-checking penalty early and the Habs put on a clinic with it. They never left the Sabres’ zone, zipping the puck around like the Globetrotters on ice. Ivan Demidov would score his first of the post season and that was all she wrote.
Buffalo’s goaltending, defense, backchecking forwards and sense of urgency all failed them, after scoring three big goals to start the game. Montreal’s speed and skill is apparently too much for the Sabres, even though they have the very same attributes. Buffalo put on the pressure down big time, but Dobeš bounced back from his rough first period to stand tall.
The Sabres lost Owen Power halfway through the 3rd as he went down awkwardly behind the net. No clue on his status for the next matchup.
Buffalo jokingly pulled Lyon with over six minutes left and down by three, a Lindy Ruff tradition. The Sabres actually managed to control the puck for a long while and upped the advantage to a 6 on 4 with a late power play but just could not score. The special teams, though not a big part of this game, were a killer. Buffalo went 0 for 2 while the Habs scored on both their chances.
The Sabres fired 20 shots on goal in the third period but Montreal got the only tally. Spirits were broken, and an inevitability set in. This game was lost, and sadly maybe the series. Buffalo will need to dig down deep and throw two kitchen sinks into game six if they want a chance to play a game seven.
Final Thoughts:
Once again, next to nothing from the top line. Thompson, Tuch and Krebs were kept off the scoresheet. Tuch remains scoreless in this series 5 games in and has been a major disappointment. Only a handful of Buffalo’s better players are having any success and it’s quite bewildering to see. It is spelling doom for them right now.
So much for home ice advantage these playoffs. Buffalo is a wretched 2-4 at Keybank Center and 4-1 on the road. If the Sabres even manage a game six win, that ugly stat is facing them in game seven.
Game six will be back at the friendly confines of Bell Center in Montreal on Saturday, May 16th. Start time is 8 pm on ABC. Buffalo will look to steal one more from the Canadiens in Quebec to keep hope alive.
Brutal showing for most of Buffalo’s top players.