Sabres Find Just Enough in Montreal as Benson, Zucker Lead the Way
MONTREAL - On a night where offensive rhythm was hard to come by, the Buffalo Sabres made the most of their limited chances - and walked out of Montreal with a gritty win to show for it.
Zach Benson’s goal early in the second period stood out not just because it gave Buffalo the lead, but because it was one of only three shots the Sabres managed in that entire period. Efficiency isn’t always pretty, but it was enough.
The Sabres didn’t exactly dominate the shot clock, but they found timely production. Jason Zucker opened the scoring in the first period with a slick finish past Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault, capitalizing on a defensive breakdown and a clean feed that gave him space to work. Zucker’s finish was clinical - a reminder of the veteran winger’s ability to seize the moment.
Montreal responded with pushback, as expected. The Canadiens generated pressure and zone time, but Buffalo’s defensive structure held firm. Goaltending played a big role, with the Sabres leaning on solid play between the pipes to weather the storm, especially during a second period that tilted heavily in Montreal’s favor.
Benson’s goal - a snapshot that found daylight - gave Buffalo a cushion they would protect the rest of the way. It was the kind of opportunistic strike that good teams find a way to get, even when the flow of play isn’t on their side.
The Sabres’ penalty kill also deserves a nod. Montreal had their chances on the man advantage, but Buffalo’s units stayed disciplined, cleared pucks with purpose, and didn’t allow the Canadiens to set up shop for extended stretches.
There were other bright spots beyond the scoresheet. Rasmus Dahlin logged heavy minutes and was a steady presence on the back end, while Tage Thompson continued to show flashes of the dynamic skill that makes him such a matchup problem. Though he didn’t find the net, Thompson created space and drew defenders, opening up lanes for teammates.
In net, the Sabres got exactly what they needed. Timely saves, controlled rebounds, and poise in the crease - all critical in a game where the margin for error was razor thin.
Montreal, for its part, played with pace and physicality. The Canadiens had stretches where they looked ready to tilt the game their way, but couldn’t quite solve Buffalo’s structure or break through in the moments that mattered most. The Sabres’ ability to absorb pressure and counter effectively was the difference.
This wasn’t a statement win in terms of style points, but it was the kind of performance that builds confidence in a team’s ability to grind out results. Buffalo didn’t need a barrage of shots or a highlight-reel performance to get the job done - just timely execution, responsible defense, and a few big plays at the right time.
As the season grinds on, these are the types of wins that matter. Not every night is going to be a showcase, but if the Sabres can continue to find ways to win when the game gets tight and the ice gets heavy, they’ll be in the mix when it counts.
And for a team still carving out its identity, that’s a good sign.