BUFFALO – The Sabres needed less than two periods against the Montreal Canadiens to accomplish what the Tampa Bay Lightning couldn’t in seven games.
Against a stingy opponent – the Canadiens allowed three or fewer goals in each contest versus the Lightning and just 15 total – the Sabres scored four times in the opening 29 minutes on Wednesday en route to a 4-2 win in Game 1 of the second-round series.
The Sabres, who started slowly at home in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Boston Bruins, received goals from winger Josh Doan 4:31 into the game and a rare power-play score from center Ryan McLeod at 13:25 to seize control early and ignite the raucous capacity crowd of 19,070 fans in KeyBank Center.
Winger Zach Benson, who has a knack for forcing turnovers, created both goals, adroitly feeding his teammates at the net.
“I think we wanted an emphasis on getting to their D early and trying to force turnovers,” Doan said. “Obviously, Benny does an unbelievable job of that throughout every game, but great start by him there, and I think that got the building on its feet.”
The Sabres led 2-0, 3-1 and 4-1 before Kirby Dach scored late in the second period to get Montreal back within two goals. Despite getting outshot 11-1 in the third period, the Sabres, who pumped just 16 shots on goalie Jakub Dobes, held on.
While the Sabres were good, they still struggled at times, sometimes with their puck management. Clearly, their five-day layoff between games played a bit of a factor.
“I liked the quick start we got off to,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “I know we can be a lot better. I thought some of our puck decisions weren’t up to par. … The three, four days off affected guys different ways. You get a couple good practices, some really came out good. I think other guys, in my eyes, were a step behind.”
The short break helped Sabres winger Jordan Greenway, who enjoyed his best outing this season.
In addition to scoring for just the second time this season and ending a 39-game drought dating back to Nov. 13, Greenway registered a game-high five hits.
“I thought by far his best game,” Ruff said. “Great on the walls, really strong on the puck. I though his physicality was good.”
In late January, pain Greenway experienced after undergoing two hernia surgeries forced him to leave the lineup for more more than two months.
During that time, he found a rehab regimen that allows him to play pain free, and he returned March 31.
Greenway scored the eventual winner from the top of the left circle 3:32 into the second period, taking advantage of center Tyson Kozak’s quick screen of Dobes.
“It’s been a journey, of course, injury-wise, but there’s a lot of guys of who have gone through injuries,” Greenway said. “At this point, it’s behind me.”
Defenseman Bowen Byram scored the Sabres’ other goal, a power-play marker from the slot 9:01 into the second period.
Incredibly, Byram has already scored four times this postseason, tying the franchise mark for most goals in a single playoff year by defenseman. Mike Ramsey (1982-83), Jason Woolley) 1998-99 and Alexei Zhitnik (1998-99) also scored four goals.
The power play, which began the night having converted just one of its 24 opportunities in the postseason, finally made an impact.
“I think we took advantage of some good breaks, made a couple good plays,” Ruff said. “(We) had a great net-front presence on the Byram goal from the point. We numbered them down low on the next one where McLeod had a great opportunity.”
Wednesday’s game featured a different pace than the Sabres’ series against the Bruins, who showcase a rigid structure. The Canadiens, like the Sabres, get after it. The teams are two of the NHL’s fastest.
“I think we talked about the pace this morning,” he said. “… They forecheck a lot different than Boston. We really felt the pace was going to be a lot higher and the pace was higher.”
Ruff said he believes Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin, who left the game late in the third period after blocking a shot, is fine.
“I saw him as I was walking here,” he said. “He seemed to be fine. I haven’t spoken to our medical people yet. I may be corrected, but I saw him walking down the hallway.”
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is Friday.
