The Buffalo Sabres won Game 1 of their second-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series against the Montreal Canadiens with a score of 4-2 at KeyBank Center on May 7.
The result gives the Sabres an early lead in the series and continues their strong postseason performance. The game featured key contributions from Josh Doan and Zach Benson, who each had two points in the first period to help build an early advantage.
Doan finished with one goal and one assist, while Benson recorded two assists. Ryan McLeod also tallied a goal and an assist. Jordan Greenway and Bowen Byram added goals for Buffalo, with Byram’s fourth goal of the playoffs matching a franchise record for goals by a defenseman in a single playoff year. Goaltender Alex Lyon made 26 saves in his fifth consecutive start.
Benson drew a tripping penalty just thirty seconds into the contest, setting up early momentum for Buffalo. The pair combined for the opening goal at four minutes and thirty-one seconds, then helped set up McLeod’s power-play tally nine minutes later. The Sabres converted on two out of three power-play opportunities—their first game this postseason with multiple power-play goals.
Montreal goaltender Jakub Dobes allowed four goals on sixteen shots after starting all seven games of the Canadiens’ previous round against Tampa Bay. Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach scored for Montreal.
Game statistics show that Doan opened scoring from Benson’s pass, followed by McLeod’s power-play goal assisted by both players. Greenway and Byram extended Buffalo’s lead before Dach closed out scoring for Montreal late in the second period.
Looking ahead, Game 2 will take place at KeyBank Center on Friday at 7 p.m., with coverage available through various media channels including MSG, WGR 550 radio, and social media platforms.
