Byram and McLeod Spark Sabres Power Play in 4-2 Victory Over Canadiens

Buffalo’s Bowen Byram and Ryan McLeod ignited a dormant power-play unit on Wednesday night, scoring on consecutive advantages to propel the Sabres to a 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series. The victory marked a significant moment for the Sabres, who advanced to the second round for the first time since 2007 and the first time overall in 15 years.

In addition to Byram and McLeod, Josh Doan and Jordan Greenway added to the scoreline for Buffalo, while goaltender Alex Lyon turned aside 26 shots, improving his playoff record to 4-1 since stepping in as the starter against Boston.

Montreal’s Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach netted goals, but the Canadiens struggled to find their rhythm just three days after their grueling Game 7 win over Tampa Bay. Goaltender Jakub Dobes made 12 saves but allowed four goals, a stark contrast to his earlier performances in the series against the Lightning.

Despite the setback, Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis expressed optimism about his team’s offensive potential. “We had more room to create with the puck,” he noted, emphasizing the need for his players to capitalize on those opportunities. “I’m confident that we can play any style. We can learn from this one and be better.”

The Sabres were well-rested, having enjoyed four days off since their 4-1 victory over Boston in Game 6. Coach Lindy Ruff praised his team’s quick start but acknowledged areas for improvement. “I know we can be a lot better,” he said, reflecting on moments where the team allowed Montreal to gain momentum.

Doan opened the scoring just 4:31 into the game, finishing a 2-on-1 opportunity after Montreal defenseman Lane Hutson’s turnover. McLeod followed up with a power-play goal at 13:26, converting a pass from Zach Benson. Byram extended the lead to 4-1 midway through the second period, marking his fourth playoff goal, tying the Sabres’ franchise record for defensemen in the postseason.

Buffalo’s power play, which had struggled throughout the playoffs, went 2 for 3 against Montreal, a welcome sign after converting just 1 of 24 chances against Boston. McLeod welcomed the discussions about the power play, quipping, “If we’re gonna keep scoring now, maybe keep asking.”

However, the Sabres faced a concerning moment late in the game when captain Rasmus Dahlin limped off after blocking a shot. He briefly left the ice but returned to the bench, with Ruff indicating he did not believe there was a serious issue.

Dach provided a highlight-reel goal late in the second, cutting Buffalo’s lead to 4-2 by lifting the puck over Lyon’s glove while falling. The Canadiens will look to bounce back as they head into Game 2 in Buffalo on Friday night, before the series shifts to Montreal on Sunday.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.