The energy is contagious down in Buffalo. Round 2 kicks off with Montreal heading to KeyBank Center to try and stop the party. Buffalo and Montreal is going to be one of the best series in the second round.
Period 1
Early on, Montreal seemed a bit jumpy with a bad tripping penalty to Lane Hutson. The only thing worse than taking an early penalty was the PP1 of Buffalo in the first period. Montreal kills off the penalty and seems to be settling in.
Faceoff in the Buffalo zone at 15:40 of the 1st period, but the puck kicks back into the neutral zone. Lane Hutson toe picks, leading to a 2-on-1 for Josh Doan and Zack Benson. A perfect setup by Benson and Doan starts the party for the Sabres fans at 15:29 of the 1st.
Montreal started to get the puck moving but they had to beat Alex Lyon. Lyon comes up with huge saves halfway into the 1st period. Nick Suzuki lost position during a battle for the net and takes a costly tripping penalty, leading to Buffalo's second powerplay of the period. Just like the first one, Buffalo's PP1 looks like a 4% powerplay (they are).
Fate changes when PP2 hits the ice. With 6:30 left in the 1st, Ryan McLeod hits the back of the net. Setup by Zack Benson and Josh Doan, both having a night with 2 points each in the first 14 minutes of the game. Hutson has been on the ice for both goals and needs to settle into this game. Montreal needs Hutson to be a difference maker in a positive way.
Dahlin takes a bad penalty, looks like he might be a bit frustrated after getting dumped 2 minutes earlier. Montreal to the powerplay with 2:02 left. This is where Montreal really needs to capitalize. As time was winding down in the first, Juraj Slafkovský walks to the front of the net, draws in the defense and slides it over to Nick Suzuki for a tap-in goal. 2-1 Buffalo, 43 seconds left in the first.
Period 2
After the first, both teams have some jump and are skating well. Buffalo is forechecking hard, looking like they want to punish Montreal. Montreal just finished their hard-fought series against a strong Tampa Bay team, so wearing them down is the game plan for the Sabres.
Two things to focus on as the puck drops: faceoffs, where Montreal has a strong possession advantage, and special teams. Both teams have a powerplay goal and 3 penalties have been called in just 20 minutes.
At minute 17, Greenway turns and snipes, comes down and beats Jakub Dobes glove side. Dobes might want that one back, as it hit the glove. 3-1 Sabres. I have not heard this arena this loud in 15 years.
Guhle takes a crosschecking penalty, sending Buffalo back to the powerplay. They are currently 1-for-2 but the PP1 still looks like an AHL team. Just like the earlier ones, PP1 brings nothing, just 1 shot. The puck is held and a faceoff to the left of Jakub.
PP2 steps out, wins the draw from McLeod, Bowen Byram walks the line and puts it top shelf on Dobes. 4-1 Sabres. Montreal needs a response and to stay out of the box, because PP2 for the Sabres is running wild.
Beck Malenstyn takes a high-sticking penalty, giving Montreal their second power play of the game. Montreal has had beautiful puck movement on the power play, but Lyon is coming up big for Buffalo.
Buffalo wants to get the momentum back being up 4-1, but as Tage Thompson comes out of the zone, he fumbles it on the Sabres blueline, leading to a quick 2-on-1 for Kirby Dach and Zack Bolduc. Dach down the right side pulls it around Conor Timmins, gets a shot off, Lyon kicks out the rebound. Falling down, Dach stretches out to deflect the puck top shelf. One of the goals of the playoffs. What a strong effort from Kirby Dach. 4-2 Buffalo with 3:30 left.
The second period ends with Buffalo holding the lead going into the 3rd. Shots are fairly even at this point: 17 for Montreal, 15 for Buffalo. Dobes' save percentage is not looking great. One more could get him pulled. Faceoffs are 62% for Montreal and they are controlling the draws.
Period 3
Buffalo seemed to start with a nervous energy, giving up a 2-on-1 for Suzuki and Caufield 9 seconds into the period. Lyon slides across to get things settled down early into the period. Buffalo is holding the blueline well, making the smaller Montreal team dump pucks in and forecheck hard.
Lyon has stood tall for Montreal, but the defense of the Sabres are clearing the front of the net, giving him clean looks and predictable shots. Buffalo really held the Bruins to a low shot count in the first round. The Bruins were the 2nd last team in shots per game, only team below them was Montreal.
10 minutes left in the 3rd, Buffalo is dumping pucks in, making Montreal skate the full ice. Buffalo's 4th line could be their best line of Game 1, always having impact with the body, scoring chances and pressure. Buffalo's defense has given nothing to Montreal, with huge blocks. Rasmus Dahlin lays out to block a sure goal, takes the shot right off the knee. He hobbles to the bench but stays in the game.
If Buffalo holds this, this is the type of team effort that brings life to a young team. With 2:46 left, Montreal pulls the goalie looking to get 2 on the board in the last couple minutes. Lyon has come up huge in the last two, denying Juraj Slafkovský in close, looking like one of the best goalies in the playoffs.
Montreal takes their timeout at 1:31 left, time to find some of that magic. Last 30 seconds, the fans are on their feet showing love to a great performance and team win by the Sabres. Alex Lyon was a star, shutting the door and looking like that goalie that kept the Panthers' season alive 3 years ago.
Game finals
- Final score: 4-2 Buffalo
- Series: 1-0 Buffalo
- Shots: 28-16 Montreal
- Faceoffs: 63% Montreal
- Hits: 31-27 Montreal