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Benson Power-Play Goal Gives Buffalo 3-2 Win, Series Tied

5/13/2026

27 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Benson Scores

Zach Benson scored on a third-period power play at 4:41, giving Buffalo a 3-2 win and tying the series 2-2.
The goal came after Jake Evans drew a holding penalty on Peyton Krebs and Montreal missed a four-minute power play.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen replaced Alex Lyon and made 28 saves.
Lindy Ruff disputed a goalie-interference call on Dobes and Helenius, who stopped 19 shots, with Game 5 Thursday in Buffalo.

Summary

Buffalo Power-Play

Buffalo scored a power-play goal after the puck hit the arena’s glass divider, struck Montreal goaltender Jakub Dobes’s leg, and bounced into the net.
Two NHL Situation Room video reviews together lasted more than ten minutes, pausing the game and influencing the flow of play.
Buffalo’s power play has produced five goals in the series, giving the Sabres a special-teams edge that helped them level the matchup.

Summary

Luukkonen Delivers Shutout

Coach Lindy Ruff started Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who posted a 22-shot shutout in the final two periods.
Luukkonen made his first NHL start since April 21 after being pulled in Game 2, delivering a solid second-half that helped Buffalo tie the series.
The Sabres allowed only one power-play goal on seven chances, showing an effective penalty kill.
Buffalo won 54 % of face-offs, with Josh Norris and Ryan McLeod combining for 16 of 26.

History

Historical Context

The NHL Board of Governors approved a coach’s challenge system on June 24 2015, expanding video review to let teams contest off-side and goalie-interference calls. In the 2015-16 season Boston Bruins used the rule to overturn two power-play goals, and Buffalo’s Lindy Ruff challenged a goalie-interference call that shifted momentum in the Sabres-Canadiens series.

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Benson Scores

Zach Benson scored on a third-period power play at 4:41, giving Buffalo a 3-2 win and tying the series 2-2.
The goal came after Jake Evans drew a holding penalty on Peyton Krebs and Montreal missed a four-minute power play.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen replaced Alex Lyon and made 28 saves.
Lindy Ruff disputed a goalie-interference call on Dobes and Helenius, who stopped 19 shots, with Game 5 Thursday in Buffalo.

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