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Sabres Rally Past Canadiens in Hostile Bell Centre
23 Jan
Summary
- Sabres coach called a timeout to disrupt crowd momentum after Montreal's comeback.
- Buffalo's defense tightened significantly in the third period, allowing few chances.
- Peyton Krebs scored the empty-net goal, sealing the Sabres' 4-2 victory.
The Buffalo Sabres overcame a hostile environment at the Bell Centre to defeat the Montreal Canadiens 4-2. After building a 3-0 lead, the Sabres saw their advantage shrink to 3-2 following Nick Suzuki's second-period goal, which energized the home crowd. Recognizing the shift in momentum, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff called a timeout, emphasizing his team's resilience and ability to support each other.
The Sabres responded effectively after the timeout, significantly limiting Montreal's offensive chances in the third period. Despite allowing seven high-danger chances in the second, Buffalo's defense tightened, conceding only one in the final frame. This defensive resolve paved the way for Peyton Krebs to score an empty-net goal, securing Buffalo's fourth such goal this season and a crucial road win.
Defenseman Bowen Byram acknowledged the team's ability to win even when not playing perfectly, stating, "Sometimes that's how you've got to win. Not all of them are going to be perfect." The Sabres are now 17-3-1 in their last 21 games and are on a 100-point pace for the season, indicating their strong performance in meaningful games as they chase a playoff spot.
