Sabres' Late Push Not Enough in Montreal
Buffalo forced overtime at Montreal but lost 4-3 when Cole Caufield scored 54 seconds into the extra period. The Sabres' penalty kill allowed another goal and now sits at 64.5%, ranked 30th in the NHL, with injuries and Alex Tuch's absence contributing to the decline. Jack Quinn scored shorthanded, Josh Norris scored again, and Josh Doan assisted on Tage Thompson's game-tying goal.
Buffalo trailed Montreal but rallied to force overtime, only for Cole Caufield to end it 54 seconds into the extra session, giving the Canadiens a 4-3 win. The Sabres' penalty kill conceded again and now operates at 64.5%, 30th league-wide. Alex Tuch's absence and other injuries have contributed to that decline.
Jack Quinn scored while short-handed, Josh Norris found the net once more, and Josh Doan set up Tage Thompson's equalizer. The game followed a recent pattern: Buffalo also erased a deficit against Toronto for a 5-4 overtime victory and had previously lost to Montreal in a shootout.
The outcome may affect Sabres players, coaches, and fans most directly, as ongoing injuries and weak penalty killing could influence confidence and playoff hopes. Montreal supporters may simply enjoy a divisional overtime win. For the wider hockey audience, the game could reinforce how special-teams struggles and roster health shape entertainment and competitive balance, though a single regular-season result is unlikely to create broad societal change.