BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Alex Newhook had two targets, once more offering Montreal with some much-needed secondary scoring, and the Canadiens beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-1 on Friday evening to even their second-round playoff series at one sport apiece.
Mike Matheson, Alexandre Carrier and Nick Suzuki, with an empty-netter, additionally scored for the Canadiens. Rookie goalie Jakub Dobes made 27 saves, and Montreal prolonged its development of alternating wins and losses after doing so in a seven-game first-round series win over Tampa Bay.
Montreal superior to the second spherical on Newhook’s game-winner 11:07 into the third interval of a 2-1 series-clinching win on Sunday. Meantime, the Canadiens’ prime offensive threats proceed to wrestle. Cole Caufield prolonged his level drought to 5 video games, whereas Juraj Slafkovsky has one help in his previous eight outings.
Zach Benson scored for Buffalo, however Alex Lyon allowed 4 targets on 27 pictures. He beforehand allowed seven targets in six-plus appearances since changing Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who was was pulled after two durations in a 4-2 loss to Boston in Game 2 of their first-round series.
The series shifts to Montreal for Game 3 on Sunday evening.
It’ll be the Canadiens’ first journey house after being on the street since touring to Tampa Bay final weekend. The crew stayed in Florida for 2 days earlier than flying immediately to Buffalo on Tuesday.
The Sabres dropped to 2-3 at house this postseason, however they received all three video games — together with the Game 6 series clincher — at Boston.
After falling behind 2-0 within the first interval of Game 1, Montreal flipped the script.
Peyton Krebs’ turnover in Buffalo’s zone led to Newhook scoring at 1:36 by sneaking a shot underneath Lyon’s blocker arm. Matheson scored 2:51 later by floating in a shot from the left level that beat Lyon over his proper shoulder.
Buffalo’s energy play got here up empty on 5 possibilities after going 2 for 3 in Game 1. The Sabres have transformed simply three of 32 power-play alternatives this postseason.
Newhook’s second purpose, scored 4:47 into the second interval, got here 4 seconds after the Sabres’ energy play failed to register a shot with Carrier off for hooking.
Carrier’s purpose 3:54 into the third was emblematic of Buffalo’s night. With the Sabres buzzing the Montreal internet, Tage Thompson saved the puck in on the proper level solely to lose his stability and spin down to the ice. Carrier picked up the unfastened puck and scored to put Montreal up 4-1.
Benson whiffed on a tip-in likelihood two minutes later. In the primary interval, Buffalo’s Alex Tuch had the puck roll off his stick whereas making an attempt a shot breaking apart the proper wing, and Jack Quinn shot excessive of the web after being arrange alone within the slot.