Buffalo entered Montreal tonight, looking to sweep the home-and-home against the Canadiens.
Thanks in part to a Brian Flynn shootout goal, the Sabres tallied their 5th win in their last six games. Things started of in a frenzy for both sides, as each side exchanged opportunities throughout the first. Buffalo were able to take advantage and strike first.
In the waning minutes of the first, at 14:03, Zemgus Girgensons continued his white hot streak when he put home his 7th goal of the season. Buffalo’s lead would hold throughout the remainder of the first, and almost halfway into the second.
Unfortunately, Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher would tie things up at 7:51 of the second. The third period would be the equivalent of flood gates opening when it came to goal scoring.
Just 5:57 into the third, Chris Stewart would put home his 3rd of the year on a breakaway. Stewart’s third put Buffalo up 2-1.
Less than two minutes later, Montreal would tie it up. Lars Eller was credited with his 7th goal of the season, but the goal happened thanks in part to Nikita Zadorov.
The shot would bounce off of Zadorov’s skate and passed Jhonas Enroth. Things would stay knotted up for another 6 minutes, until Montreal would take their first lead of the game,
Max Pacioretty’s 11th of the season, at 13:15, put Montreal up 3-2. Offense remained fast and furious, as Buffalo tied things up less than a minute later.
A Brian Flynn goal at 14:04, his 3rd of the season, would be the equalizer. Brian Gionta was credited with an assist on this goal, in his 800th NHL game.
After a spirited final few minutes, this game headed to overtime. In the five minute frame, nothing could be solved, so a shootout was in order. Buffalo would win, thanks to a Brian Flynn shootout goal.
Jhonas Enroth was a brick wall in the shootout, stopping all five Montreal shooters. With this victory, the Buffalo Sabres are 8-14-2 on the season with 18 points.
The Buffalo Sabres take the ice again this Tuesday night, when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning at the First Niagara Center. Puck drops shortly after 7:30 p.m. with the game being broadcast nationally on NBCSN.