Full Breakdown
Sabres Tie Series with Benson’s Power-Play Winner
5/13/2026, 11:37:59 PM
Context & Key Figures
The Eastern Conference semifinal between the Buffalo Sabres and the Montreal Canadiens is tied 2-2 after Game 4, with the series winner set to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the conference final. Buffalo entered the game after losses in Games 2 and 3, trailing the series for the first time this postseason. Coach Lindy Ruff started rookie goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in place of Alex Lyon; the lineup also featured forward Konsta Helenius and defenseman Luke Schenn. Key contributors were 21-year-old forward Zach Benson, winger Josh Doan, defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, forward Tage Thompson, and Montreal’s Alex Newhook and Cole Caufield. The Canadiens’ netminder was Jakub Dobes.
Game Summary
Mattias Samuelsson opened the scoring at 6:32 of the first period on a pass from Josh Norris. A subsequent video review briefly awarded a goal to Jack Quinn, but the Canadiens successfully challenged for goalie-interference involving Konsta Helenius and Dobes, nullifying the tally. Alex Newhook tied the game shortly after the review. In the second period, Tage Thompson scored on the power play after the puck deflected off the glass and Dobes’ leg. Cole Caufield gave Montreal a 2-1 lead with a power-play goal 13 seconds before the end of the first period. The decisive moment arrived at 4:41 of the third period (15:19 remaining) when Zach Benson received a pass from Josh Doan, used his skate to control the puck and backhanded it past Dobes while Jake Evans served a penalty for holding. Benson’s goal broke the 2-2 tie and secured a 3-2 Sabres victory.
Statistics
The final score was 3-2 Buffalo. Jakub Dobes stopped 19 shots; Luukkonen saved 28 of 30. Buffalo’s power play converted 2 of 7 chances, while Montreal was 1 for 7. The Sabres allowed one power-play goal on seven opponent opportunities. Buffalo recorded 27 blocked shots and held a 54 % face-off advantage (16 of 26).
Official Statements
Luukkonen emphasized that the team’s priority was winning regardless of his starting status and expressed satisfaction in contributing to the victory. Coach Ruff voiced disagreement with the goalie-interference ruling, asserting that Dobes initiated contact with Helenius. Team comments highlighted the importance of special-teams execution and defensive resilience.
Criticism & Discipline
Ruff’s protest underscores broader concerns about officiating consistency. Analysts noted Buffalo’s high penalty count, including a cross-check that produced a Canadiens power-play goal. Montreal’s power-play efficiency (1-7) was also cited as a point of contention.
On-Ice Perspectives
Cole Caufield described the Sabres’ sustained pressure and goaltending contributions. Tage Thompson noted the satisfaction of scoring on a fluke play.
Conflicting Details
Sources differ on the phrasing of Benson’s goal timing, reporting it as 4:41 of the third period versus “15:19 remaining,” though both refer to the same moment. Thompson’s power-play goal is described as a bounce off the glass in some accounts and as a rim off the corner stanchion in others. The video-review narrative varies on whether the overturned Jack Quinn goal was initially counted or only briefly displayed before the challenge.
Verbatim Quotes
- “At this point of the year, it doesn’t matter to me (if I start). As long as we win, that’s the most important thing,” — Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Buffalo Sabres goaltender
- “Just for the fact that Dobes always is swinging his stick. He initiated the contact with Helenius … I really thought that that was going our way.” — Lindy Ruff, Buffalo Sabres head coach
- “Broke them down a bunch, had our looks, goalie made some big saves and that kept him in it,” — Cole Caufield, Montreal Canadiens forward
- “It’s a nice feeling when you see that.” — Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres forward
Future Outlook
Game 5 is scheduled for Thursday night in Buffalo; the series winner will meet the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference final.
