Buffalo Never Gets Going as Habs Tie Series at 1-1
Score: Buffalo Sabres 1-5 Montreal Canadiens
Shots: BUF 30-28 MON
Buffalo Sabres Goals: Benson 3rd (Timmins, Doan)
Montreal Canadiens Goals: Newhook 2nd (Guhle, Hutson) Matheson 1st (Danault) Newhook 3rd (Evans, Dobson) Carrier 1st (unassisted) Suzuki 3rd EN (Anderson)
Minus 1: Shell Shocked Sabres
Not the start Buffalo wanted as Peyton Krebs stumbled with the puck while briefly filling in on the Sabres’ defense. Montreal came up with the puck, made a few quick passes and found twine on a tip right in front of goaltender Alex Lyon, It was the second goal of the post season for Alex Newhook, just 1:34 into the opening frame. A few minutes later, Mike Matheson’s point shot off the draw had eyes through a screen to give the Habs a sudden 2-0 lead. The pre-game hype from the crowd took a hit as Buffalo found themselves down by two early. The Sabres got the game’s first power play about 8 minutes in but it was mostly ineffective.
The Canadiens then had a 2 on 1 break that was broken up nicely by Rasmus Dahlin but he took a questionable interference call moments later. Lane Hutson was already falling before Buffalo’s captain got near him. Thankfully, the Sabres killed it off, with Lyon making some strong stops. Montreal can really move the puck around with ease. Jack Quinn then had a good look for Buffalo in the slot but fired it wide from 20 feet. After the initial shell shock of Montreal’s early lead, the Sabres started to find their legs. But the Habs were showcasing their speed repeatedly and had the edge in play and shots. Buffalo put the cherry on top of this first period sh*t sundae when Josh Doan was called for interference with ten seconds to go. The Canadiens would start the middle frame with the man advantage.
Even 1: Late Goal Keeps Hope Alive
The Sabres were able to kill off the Montreal power play with a few timely blocks and Lyon making a nice save. Buffalo then got their own man advantage when Alexandre Carrier went off for hooking Tage Thompson. The Blue and Gold could do absolutely nothing with it, besides dish a nice hit behind the net. That power play failure would prove costly as Montreal would score on a rush immediately after. Alex Newhook got his 2nd of the game to push the score to 3-0 and things were looking bleak. The only thing worse at this moment was seeing former New England Patriot Rob Gronkowski being interviewed in the stands. Puke.
The two teams traded power plays after that and once again, no dice for the Sabres. Montreal moved the puck around nicely as usual but were unable to extend the lead. Buffalo just couldn’t press the attack like they did in game one. No sustained pressure, no dominating forecheck. The top line of TNT, Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs didn’t have much to offer. Neither did anyone else for that matter. Montreal goaltender Jakub Dobeš wasn’t being tested and was seeing most of the Sabres’ shots. That is, until a relentless shift by Zach Benson in the closing minute. Benny was skating hard, forechecking his ass off and worked the puck back into Buffalo’s possession. Coming in off the wall, Zach found good position all alone beside the crease and tapped home the nice pass. It was a big goal to give the Sabres some much needed life. After two, the score was 3-1 in favor of the visitors. Shots favored Montreal 21-19.
Minus 2: The Stars are Not Shining
Buffalo came out in the third with a rejuvenated crowd behind them and some good energy. Dobeš made a solid glove save on Owen Power but he could see it all the way. But it was game over early when Tage Thompson spun out while manning the blue line, leading to a 2 on 1 break for the Habs. Alexandre Carrier just took the shot on the rush with lots of room to beat Lyon top corner. It was a killer goal that thwarted any serious thought of a comeback. That is two big turnovers for TNT in the series that directly led to a goal by the Canadiens. All while contributing nothing on the scoresheet to that point. Yikes.
Buffalo needed two goals in the third to tie it. Instead, they gave up two on route to a blow-out. The Sabres wasted a great chance to go up 2-0 on their division rivals at home. Buffalo pulled Lyon down three goals (I freaking hate that!) and immediately gave up the empty netter to Nick Suzuki. 5-1 is your final in a game that the home team would like a do-over. Maybe the Sabres’ best players would show up in that fantasy game.
Jakub Dobes made 29 saves for the easy win. Buffalo finished an awful 0 for 5 on the power play.
Comment of the game:
TheDawg “It is hard to win when your top guys not only do not produce, but they do stupid things that hurt you”
Final Thoughts:
The Sabres just didn’t have it tonight. The two early goals by Montreal did them in. The top line for Buffalo has not cashed in yet and the secondary scoring (besides Benson and Doan) could not chip in either. The Sabres’ stars need to step up soon and they must respond big time in game three.
It was great to see Ryan Miller again, banging the Sabres’ drum right before the opening face-off. Hopefully he “ducked” out early on this ugly game.
Game 3 is up next as the series shifts to Montreal on Sunday, May 10th at Bell Centre. Game time is at 7 pm as Buffalo looks to rebound and win the all important third matchup.