Buffalo, NY (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Montreal scored just moments into the game and ran away with a 5-1 victory to even the series at one game apiece. Alex Newhook scored twice, while Jakub Dobes stopped 27 of 28 shots in the Game 2 win over Buffalo.
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The Canadiens jumped out to an early 1-0 lead as Alex Newhook deflected the puck past Alex Lyon just 1:36 into the game. Then less than three minutes later, Montreal made it a 2-0 game with Mike Matheson scoring on a point shot through traffic.
Montreal extended their lead to 3-0 early in the second period as Jake Evans found Alex Newhook crashing the net on an odd-man rush for Newhook's second goal of the game.
It was a frustrating second period for Buffalo as they had a tough time generating chances throughout, as well as going scoreless on three power plays.
The home crowd finally got a jump of excitement as Conor Timmins found Zach Benson at the goal post with a great feed through traffic to cut the Montreal lead to 3-1 in the final minute of the middle frame.
Benny gets Buffalo on the board
Unfortunately for Buffalo, any momentum gained at the end of the second period was erased early. A Tage Thompson turnover at the offensive zone blue line gave Montreal an odd-man rush the other way and Alexandre Carrier went top corner over Alex Lyon's glove to make it a 4-1 game just four minutes into the third.
Buffalo went into desperation mode with under five minutes to go in regulation pulling Alex Lyon for the extra attacker, but it was Nick Suzuki scoring on the empty net to cap off a 5-1 victory for Montreal.
The power play struggles came back to bite the Sabres after scoring twice on three chances in Game 1. Buffalo finished 0-for-5 with the man advantage in Game 2.
Alex Lyon had starred in net for Buffalo since taking over for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in the series against Boston. Game 2 against Montreal was the first time Lyon gave up more than two goals in his six starts.
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GAME SUMMARY:
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
MTL: 1:36 - Alex Newhook (2) (Kaiden Guhle, Lane Hutson), 4:27 - Mike Matheson (1) (Phillip Danault)
Second Period:
BUF: 19:22 - Zach Benson (3) (Conor Timmins, Josh Doan)
MTL: 4:47 - Alex Newhook (3) (Jake Evans, Noah Dobson)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
MTL: 3:54 - Alexandre Carrier (1) (Uassisted), 15:59 - Nick Suzuki (3)(ENG) (Josh Anderson)
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Blue Star Home Services Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Alex Newhook - MTL
2.) Jakub Dobes - MTL
3.) Zach Benson - BUF
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What's next: The Sabres and Canadiens head to Montreal for Game 3 on Sunday night for a 7:00 p.m. ET puck drop. Catch all the action on WGR Sports Radio 550 starting with the pregame at 6:00 p.m. ET with Brian Koziol.
Alex Newhook scores twice as Montreal beats Buffalo 5-1
Alex Newhook scores twice as Montreal beats Buffalo 5-1
