Buffalo, NY (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Sabres got out to an early lead and never looked back Wednesday night against the Canadiens in their 4-2 victory. Zach Benson assisted on two first period goals, while the power play showed up in Game 1 by scoring twice on three chances as Buffalo takes a 1-0 series lead.
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The Sabres made a quick offensive push right off the opening faceoff and just missed a scoring opportunity but Lane Hutson would be called for tripping Zach Benson just 0:30 into the game. Buffalo's power play did not fair well in it's early chance getting just one shot on goal.
Buffalo did get on the board minutes later as Zach Benson fed Josh Doan on an odd-man rush to take the 1-0 lead just 4:31 into the game.
With more offensive zone presence, the Sabres drew another tripping penalty around the net with Nick Suzuki heading to the box. This time Buffalo would convert with the man advantage with Benson setting up Ryan McLeod at the side of the net to make it 2-0.
Montreal would gets it's first chance on the power play late in the first and it was Nick Suzuki scoring to make it a 2-1 game after one period of play.
Early in the second, Buffalo got it's two goal lead back again as Jordan Greenway beat Jakub Dobes on a wrister from the faceoff circle.
The Sabres extended their lead to 4-1 with their second power play goal of the night as Bowen Byram scored through traffic in the slot.
The Canadiens cut the Sabres lead in half as Kirby Dach flipped home a rebound off his own shot on goal to make it 4-2 in the final minutes of the second period.
That would be all the goals we'd see as the Sabres finished out the game's final frame solid defensively and kept the puck out of the net when Montreal pulled their goaltender for the extra attacker in the final minutes of regulation.
Alex Lyon finished with 26 saves on 28 shots in the victory.
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GAME SUMMARY:
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 4:31 - Josh Doan (2) (Zach Benson), 13:26 - Ryan McLeod (1)(PPG) (Zach Benson, Josh Doan)
MTL: 19:16 - Nick Suzuki (2)(PPG) (Juraj Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov)
Second Period:
BUF: 3:32 - Jordan Greenway (1) (Mattias Samuelsson), 9:01 - Bowen Byram (4)(PPG) (Ryan McLeod)
MTL: 16:31 - Kirby Dach (3) (Zachary Bolduc)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
MTL: NONE
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Blue Star Home Services Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Zach Benson - BUF
2.) Ryan McLeod - BUF
3.) Jordan Greenway - BUF
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What's Next: Game 2 between the Sabres and Canadiens is Friday night at KeyBank Center for a 7:00 p.m. ET puck drop. Tune into all the action on WGR Sports Radio 550 starting with pregame at 6:00 p.m. ET with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog.
Zach Benson sets up first two goals, Buffalo wins 4-2
Zach Benson sets up first two goals, Buffalo wins 4-2
