Jeff Skinner scored four of the Buffalo Sabres' five goals on Sunday, recording five points overall to lead the team to a 5-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre.
The Sabres wasted little time getting on the scoreboard against Montreal. Buffalo was able to create a turnover in the offensive zone, with Skinner tipping in a Casey Fitzgerald point shot. Skinner's 17th goal of the season gave the visitors a 1-0 lead less that four minutes into the game.
Craig Anderson stopped all eight Canadiens shots on goal in the opening period. Montreal went nearly 10 minutes without a shot in the middle part of the frame.
Each team had abbreviated power play chances thanks to minor penalties on Rasmus Dahlin and Brendan Gallagher.
Mike Hoffman scored just over a minute into the second period to even the score at 1-1. The goal was Hoffman's eighth of the season, with Corey Schueneman assisting along with ex-Sabres forward Paul Byron.
Skinner, once again, gave Buffalo a one-goal lead with his second score of the game. His 18th goal of the season made it, 2-1, with Dahlin helping set up the marker.
However, Buffalo's lead would be short-lived.
Less than a minute later, Jeff Petry's shot from the blue line hit a Sabre player in the slot and got past Anderson to tie the score 2-2. Then, former Sabres first round draft pick Joel Armia scored his second goal of the season late in the middle stanza to give Montreal a 3-2 lead.
A Canadiens penalty late in the second helped Buffalo tie the score at 3-3 with just over a minute left in the frame. Tage Thompson converted after Peyton Krebs made a nice pass on the man advantage. Montreal was called for a too many men on the ice minor that led to the opportunity.
Skinner completed the hat-trick even while he was being interfered with on his way to the Montreal net. The play started thanks to a turnover in the neutral zone, and the forward finished the play with his 19th goal of the year to make it 4-3, Buffalo.
The Sabres forward was not done scoring yet. His fourth goal of the afternoon extended Buffalo's lead to 5-3 late in the third period.
It was also Skinner's fifth point of the game. He recorded an assist on Thompson's power play goal, as well.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 3:41 - Jeff Skinner (17) (Casey Fitzgerald, Alex Tuch)
MTL: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 10:15 - Jeff Skinner (18) (Rasmus Dahlin); 18:24 - Tage Thompson (15) PPG (Peyton Krebs, Jeff Skinner)
MTL: 1:11 - Mike Hoffman (8) (Corey Schueneman, Paul Byron); 11:13 - Jeff Petry (2) (Jake Evans, Rem Pitlick); 16:09 - Joel Armia (2) (Ryan Poehling, Brett Kulak)
Third Period
BUF: 8:16 - Jeff Skinner (19) PPG (Unassisted); 18:14 - Jeff Skinner (20) PPG (Alex Tuch)
MTL: NONE
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 13:48 - Rasmus Dahlin (Tripping - 2 min.)
MTL: 14:08 - Brendan Gallagher (Interference - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 7:23 - Peyton Krebs (Tripping - 2 min.)
MTL: 17:52 - TEAM (Too many men on the ice - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 14:59 - Kyle Okposo (Slashing - 2 min.)
MTL: 13:21 - Kale Clague (Tripping - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Jeff Skinner- BUF
2.) Alex Tuch - BUF
3.) Joel Armia - MTL
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What's next:
The Sabres return to Buffalo to prepare for a three-game homestand starting Tuesday night against the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m. EST with pregame coverage starting at 6 p.m. EST with Schopp and the Bulldog.
