A pair of Tage Thompson goals bookended the night for the Buffalo Sabres in their 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night at KeyBank Center. The win snapped the team's four-game losing streak in the process.
Thompson wasted little time getting the Sabres on the scoresheet and to give Buffalo a 1-0 lead. The forward's ninth goal of the season came just over four minutes into the first period, and was assisted by Victor Olofsson and Jeff Skinner. Thompson has recorded five points in the last four games with the goal, as well.
Montreal evened the score at 1-1 later in the period after Josh Anderson capitalized on a Buffalo turnover. The winger used the miscue by Skinner and a screen set in front of the net by Tyler Toffoli to bury his fifth goal of the year. The game-tying score was unassisted.
Buffalo enjoyed its second lead of the night thanks to quick passing in the offensive zone midway through the second period. Vinnie Hinostroza used a backhand pass over to Cody Eakin to make it 2-1 Sabres. Eakin was alone by the side of the net and cashed in his third goal of the year. Hinostroza received the only assist on the goal.
Brett Murray was given the first penalty of the night when he was called for high-sticking. His four-minute double-minor penalty did not result in any goals for the Canadiens.
It did, however, produce a shorthanded goal by Kyle Okposo late in the opportunity. As Okposo's attempted a pass that was blocked, he was able to find the puck and flip a backhand shot into the net to give the Sabres a 3-1 lead.
Thompson scored his second goal of the night after a collision in the neutral zone to help the Sabres' lead balloon to 4-1 over Montreal. It was also Thompson's 10th goal of the season to set a new career-high. Skinner and Olofsson, once again, were credited with the assists.
From there, the Sabres were able to set things on cruise control, as they ended up outshooting the Canadiens, 13-9 in the third period and 39-26 on the night.
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GAME RECAP:
Goal Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 4:08 - Tage Thompson (9) (Victor Olofsson, Jeff Skinner)
MTL: 12:44 - Josh Anderson (5) (Unassisted)
Second Period:
BUF: 9:49 - Cody Eakin (3) (Vinnie Hinostroza); 15:45 - Kyle Okposo (6) SHG (Cody Eakin)
MTL: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: 3:29 - Tage Thompson (10) (Jeff Skinner, Victor Olofsson)
MTL: NONE
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
MTL: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 12:25 - Brett Murray (High-sticking - 4 min.)
MTL: 17:43 - David Savard (Tripping - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
MTL: NONE
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Tage Thompson - BUF
2.) Cody Eakin - BUF
3.) Victor Olofsson - BUF
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What's next:
The blue and gold finish out their five games in seven day stretch Saturday night when they travel to Detroit to take on the Red Wings. Tune into the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550 when the puck drops at 7 p.m. EST. Pregame coverage with Brian Koziol starts at 6 p.m. EST.
