The Buffalo Sabres won 3-2 against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 4 of their second-round playoff series at Bell Centre on May 13, tying the series at two games each.
The result keeps both teams’ playoff hopes alive as they prepare for Game 5, which will take place in Buffalo on Thursday. The game was marked by a strong performance from Zach Benson, who scored the deciding goal on a third-period power play during his 21st birthday. Benson stopped a pass from Josh Doan with his skate and sent a backhand shot past Montreal goaltender Jakub Dobes to break a tie with just over fifteen minutes left in regulation.
Benson has now recorded four goals and seven points during these playoffs, including four points against the Canadiens. Doan contributed two assists in Tuesday’s match and has registered helpers in five consecutive games—the longest such streak by a Sabres player since Tim Connolly in 2006. Mattias Samuelsson and Tage Thompson also scored for Buffalo, while goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen returned to stop 28 of Montreal’s shots after not playing since Round One.
Buffalo made several lineup changes before the game: rookie Konsta Helenius made his playoff debut at forward; Luke Schenn played his first postseason game on defense; and Luukkonen started as goalie. The team also managed to kill six out of seven penalties, blocking twenty-seven shots—tied for the second highest total by any team this postseason.
Momentum shifted multiple times throughout the contest. After an early lead by Samuelsson’s goal, lengthy video reviews overturned what would have been another Buffalo goal due to goalie interference. Shortly after, Alex Newhook tied it up for Montreal before Cole Caufield gave them a brief lead late in the first period. A fortunate bounce helped Thompson even things again on a power play midway through the second period.
Game statistics showed significant contributions from both sides, but ultimately it was Benson’s timely goal that secured victory for Buffalo. The next matchup will be broadcast nationally on TNT, truTV and HBO Max.
