Sabres win Game 4 on Benson's birthday goal

The Buffalo Sabres tied their playoff series 2-2 after a 3-2 win in Game 4. This win came on Zach Benson's 21st birthday.
By Newsroom | Sports, Hockey |

Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Sabres have leveled their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Montreal Canadiens at two games apiece. The pivotal victory came Tuesday night in Game 4, with Zach Benson scoring the go-ahead goal on his 21st birthday. The Sabres edged the Canadiens 3-2, erasing the deficit and shifting the pressure back to Montreal.

Benson’s third-period power-play strike proved to be the deciding factor, undoing a Canadiens effort that saw them come back from an early deficit. The series now returns to Buffalo for Game 5 on Thursday night, with Game 6 scheduled for Montreal on Saturday.

A Seesawing Affair

The Sabres drew first blood in the contest. Samuelsson opened the scoring at 6:32 of the first period. An apparent second goal for Buffalo, credited to Jack Quinn, was disallowed after a video review determined goalie interference by Konsta Helenius.

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Montreal found its footing in the second period. Alex Newhook and Cole Caufield both found the net for the Canadiens, giving them a temporary lead. The Sabres, however, managed to tie the game on a "fluky dump-in from centre ice" by Thompson during a power play.

Special Teams Struggles

A recurring theme for Montreal in this series appears to be their performance on the power play. The Canadiens struggled Tuesday, converting only one of their seven opportunities with the man advantage. This inefficiency proved costly, particularly in the third period when Benson capitalized on a Buffalo power play to break the tie.

Series Outlook

The series has proven to be a closely contested one, with both teams exchanging wins. The Sabres, who have experienced moments of "unexpected destiny" this season, now find themselves with "plenty of playoff life left to work with." The return to Buffalo for Game 5 presents an opportunity for the Sabres to take the series lead.

Read More: Sabres, Canadiens Series Tied 2-2; Ducks, Golden Knights Tied 2-2

Background

This pivotal Game 4 win for the Sabres follows a pattern of crucial performances. Notably, in a prior series, Zach Benson was involved in a key play where Josh Doan's effort created a goal to "seal Game 6 and the series" for Buffalo. This suggests a dynamic within the Sabres roster where multiple players contribute to decisive moments. The Canadiens, despite the loss, have shown resilience, with goaltender Dobes making significant saves earlier in the game to keep his team in contention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did the Buffalo Sabres do in Game 4 against the Montreal Canadiens?
The Buffalo Sabres won Game 4 against the Montreal Canadiens with a score of 3-2. This win tied the Eastern Conference semifinal series at two games each.
Q: Who scored the game-winning goal for the Sabres in Game 4?
Zach Benson scored the game-winning goal for the Buffalo Sabres in Game 4. It was a power-play goal scored on his 21st birthday.
Q: What was the score of Game 4 between the Sabres and Canadiens?
The final score of Game 4 was 3-2 in favor of the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres scored first, the Canadiens took a brief lead in the second period, and Benson's goal in the third decided the game.
Q: What happens next in the Sabres vs. Canadiens series?
The series is now tied 2-2 and returns to Buffalo for Game 5 on Thursday night. Game 6 will be played in Montreal on Saturday.
Q: Did the Canadiens have trouble on the power play in Game 4?
Yes, the Canadiens struggled on the power play, scoring only one goal on seven opportunities. This inefficiency was costly, especially when Benson scored on a Sabres power play to win the game.