The Buffalo Sabres erased a two-goal deficit in the third period to force overtime, but the Montreal Canadiens prevailed in a shootout Tuesday night, earning a 4-3 victory at Bell Centre in the teams’ first meeting since last season’s Eastern Conference Second Round.
Buffalo opened the scoring just 2 minutes, 16 seconds into the game when Olen Zellweger’s point shot deflected off Montreal defenseman Adam Engstrom and into the net. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen kept the Canadiens off the board on a dangerous two-on-zero rush before Lane Hutson tied the game at 1 with a power-play goal late in the first period.
Montreal took control in the second. Cole Caufield scored on a one-timer 1 minute, 19 seconds into the period, and Josh Anderson added another goal with 50 seconds remaining after Buffalo struggled to clear the puck from its defensive zone. The Sabres managed just two shots on goal in the period and entered the third trailing 3-1.
Buffalo responded with two goals in a span of 61 seconds. Josh Norris cut the deficit to one at 4:24, sending a shot toward the net that again deflected off Engstrom. Zellweger followed at 5:25 with another shot from the point that changed direction through traffic, completing his second goal of the night and tying the game at 3.
Neither team found a winner in regulation or overtime. Luukkonen made a sprawling save in the closing seconds of regulation to preserve the tie, while both teams generated chances during the extra period.
Montreal secured the shootout victory by converting all three attempts. Caufield scored first, followed by Alexandre Texier and Zachary Bolduc. Buffalo got a goal from Tage Thompson, but Jack Quinn was stopped on the Sabres’ second and final attempt.
The Sabres continue their road trip Thursday, October 15, against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.
