🔥 NHL LIVE 2025-26! Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres | Full Game Live | October 20, 2025

🔥 NHL LIVE 2025-26! Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres | Full Game Live | October 20, 2025

Not a better place to watch hockey and we are ready to roll tonight here for EA Sports. We are about set to drop the puck as both setters make their way into the dock. The Canadians are going to start with the puck after taking the opening draw. Closed around along the half wall. Oh, what a save in front. Good save. Somehow got a piece of it. Look in dialed in and outstanding and anticipating the play here. games. He recognizes exactly where the greatest threat is on the ice. It’s a slot area. He gets the position to make the save. Skilled use of the stick to put the puck away. And now he passes it to Byum. Buffalo’s looking to break out. Moves it to the middle. Oh, he comes up with a stop. Both sides digging into that puck on the wall. slides it diagonally to Dali. Picked up along the wall by Push. Big time stop there. As a goender, sometimes you just have to react. You turn the brain off and you just allow your eyes and your body to do the work for you. And he does exactly that with a reactionary save along the right wall and into the offensive end. Takes a shot denied by the goender. through pass ahead and tries to make a diagonal pass to Slapovski on the attack along the boards right on the doorstep. Oh, great save by Machu. The Canadians will play it from the defensive zone and now he moves it to Slapovski. The Savers gain control of the puck. Slides the puck over. went for the dirty dangle and it goes sideways. Almost looked as if he was going to get by the defender, but that extra move took his face away and he goes the other way. Here’s a shot. Oh, stops. You know, he’s got the skill set to be able to maintain possession of this. Probably the determination to have his eyes on the prize the whole time and to get out of the coverage to be able to get a shot on net. That’s that’s courage and that certainly is a real to take it to the net. comes up with the stop. Takes the pass, slides it across, they score, and just like that, it’s a one- nothing hockey game. Well, they started like a freight train, just steamrolling their opponent, James. I I mean, they really dictated right from the onset of this game. That tells me one thing. They were prepared coming in. I think there’s a song being played in the goalender’s ear because this puck was just whistled stick side. I mean, unbelievable shot. Buffalo’s got to be pleased with the way they’ve started tonight. Look at this. Already the first goal of the game and just trying to take that crowd out of it. Well, yeah, and that’s exactly what they’ve done. And that would have been the message from the coach earlier today, James, because you want to make sure that you set the tone, you control the pace of play, and you find a way to get on the board first, takes the feed, picked up along the boards by Kier. Oh, wasn’t clean, but is it enough? Here’s a shot. to man on the sequence of saves. I love how he’s strong he is in his set positioning here, James. You can see that he gets square to the shooter and that makes the second save easier. Lots of time left in this period. One- nothing is where we sit at this point. Play resumes here as he wins the draw inside the offensive zone. Launches it from the point and that’s broken up. Quinn’s got it along the boards. loses the coverage there. Lays the body into that play. Circles back to center ice. Quick to stop. Go covers it up. We get a whistle to slow things down. And wins the face off in the offensive zone. Big stop by the keeper. I’m not sure where the defense is, but I’ll tell you what, the goalender has been outstanding. Made a flurry of saves to keep his team in this one. Montreal’s got control of the puck. Gaining momentum along the way. Quick pass to Evans. Sends the pass over. Benson’s crossed the line and is on the attack now. Moses tookouli. The Canadians are in transition. Moves it in front and they demise that. Great opportunity there. Here’s a short pass to Pyro. The Sabres take possession in the neutral zone. Quick pass across to Benson. There’s the whistle. We got an offside. The Habs are down despite the opportunities they’ve had offensively. Montreal’s won the draw. Takes the puck at the point and he catches that one with the glove and a whistle as the goalender to hang on to this one. Lots of time left in this period. We’ve got a one- nothing hockey game. They win the draw and go on the attack. Tough save by the goalie and they’ll cover it up, forcing a stoppage in play. Docs won the face off inside the offensive zone. Trying to get back on the attack now. Norris carries the puck in his own zone. He takes a moment to backtrack. Maintains possession. Great check on the reach. Here’s a shot. Denies him in front. I really like to save James because he challenges the shooter who’s all alone in the slot area. He turns aside a real dangerous opportunity. The Sabres win the draw and they go on the attack here in the offensive zone. Stoppage in play as the puck goes up and over. We’ll get a face off. Well, after all sorts of chances, they got another big face off looming here. Well, and the goalender, I mean, he’s been standing tall in the net. He’s doing everything to keep the opponent at bay, but they’ve got the offensive zone face off. They want to strike now while the iron is hot and they’ve had the sustained pressure. Suzuki’s gained possession and his great work inside the faceoff circle pays off again. The Canadians get a hold of the punch along the boards and he stops the goal to run the post. Montreal’s players and staff are going to be extremely frustrated here. They keep wiring it off the post good looks, but their shots are just a little too far. The Havs have played to the neutral zone. moves to take the other to Slapovski. Quick stop answers the call big time. What a stop by completely fails on that. He might have a step here. He’s in all alone. He gets to go. That’s extremely frustrating when you do the work to get in on a breakaway and then you get nothing in return. A missed opportunity. Hono styled in right now. Just have a look at that last save. I mean, he had to be moving extremely well in his crease to be able to get to position to make that save. [Applause] Montreal’s got a lot of time to get back into this one. Lots of scoring chances, but they’re still down. Comes in off the rim as both centers were tied up on the draw. Getting closer to the halfway point of this frame. Buffalo’s ahead one- nothing. The frozen biscuits dropped and we are back underway here. Puck dumped in. Works it across to Dome. Mloud’s taking it from his own end. The Savers move to the offensive zone. Save and the puck moves on. Officials getting ready to drop the puck. Puck possession so key in today’s game. Montreal’s got a hold of the puck. Taken by New Hook at center ice now. He grabs the puck. The Sabres played along the boards and they’ll go the other way with it. Here’s an oddman rush. Picked off by Mloud. And he loses control here. Penalty coming up here by the official. There’s the whistle and here’s the goal. Jones going off for a pair for cross checking. Well, they have the lead and now they’ve taken a penalty. So now they’re going to be back on their heels. That power play is going to come out. You know, they’re going to be smelling and tasting blood. James, the PK unit, they got to be the task. Montreal’s man advantage unit will take to the ice for the first time tonight. James, this opportunity is a real gift for the power play and it’s a reason why these personnel have been put on it. They have the specialty set of skills to be able to take it to the net when it all starts with the faceoff trying to exit the defensive zone and the puck clears the zone. That’s why you want players with active sticks on your PK, James. They can close. Wait a second, James. I believe there’s going to be a call right there. An infraction happens. The Sabers are going to be short-handed. Tripping the call. Ah, coaches don’t like these kind of penalties, James. You got the lead. You got control of the game. You’re playing confident. And now all of a sudden, you retrieve back on your heels because you’re killing. Here we go. A lengthy five on three power play looms. Oh, and that is a lot of time on a five on three. You have to have a sense of urgency here though because if you pop one by, you still have a man advantage. Dumps it in. Montreal’s got a hold of it against the wall. Moves it over to Suzuki. Here’s the pass. Cut it to the front of it. Score confirmed on the power play. Well, they do the penalty because they were competing in the emerging on the puck chains and then the same approach came on the power play where they knew how to hound it and retrieve it. And guess what? They’re rewarded for their efforts. Man, that looked like a goal scorer’s goal. Just a knack for the net. But it all comes off of a beautiful distribution. I mean, just eyes in the back of the head to be able to give that gift right to the stick. The Hats gave one up early here in period number one, but almost as quickly they get it right back. Well, they stayed the course here and halfway through the period, I feel like they’re just finding their legs and they’re getting into rhythm. Sometimes it takes a little bit to get into it here, James, they found it and he sends it across to Byron. That’s set in deep. Montreal’s gain possession along the boards. They gain the offensive zone from the middle. Grab by Power through the neutral zone up along the wing. Sends it into the offensive zone. Quick feed to D. Montreal’s in transition. The Sabres get a hold of it and he sidesteps the check there. The Savers played along the boards. Montreal’s got a hold of it along the wall. Now over to New Hook. Quick pass to Pyra. Picks it off. Here we go. Oh, he goes between the legs. Lucinan’s got the puck and he’s going to hang on. Still some precious time left on this power play as they get set to drop the puck. [Applause] And they take possession. Nice job tangling him up on the draw. Oh, it stays out as he got a piece of that one. Play whistle dead as the puck goes into the bench. And I think that woke up a few players. Mloud’s ready for the draw as they continue to be short-handed here. [Applause] Oh, and he takes possession of the puck from off the wing with the centers all locked up there off the draw. From the point they take control of it. Scrum along the wall. Oh, love the defensive stick work there to poke that one away. Puts it on net. Oh, how did he get a glove on net? What a stop by Montu. Suzuki’s looking to win this draw in this man advantage here. Montreal’s got the win off that draw. Takes the feed at center and moves up ahead. Kicks off the pass and some textbook contact there. Samuelson’s up and ready to get back on the ice. Here’s a centering pass and that’s stopped. Buffalo’s penalty killers deserve a pat on the back as we are still tied. I really like what this PK unit has done and James, in my experience, I know what it’s like to be out there in a tie game. You want to execute your role to the best of your ability. You know what it’s like to go down by one and it’s really deflating when it happens on a PK. So, finding how to do it, getting it done just the Sabres gain possession along the wall. Good heads up playing with the bank pass from right out of midair. He bats it down. gets the puck in deep. Buffalo’s got possession of the puck. Norris plays it now. Puck exits the zone. Moves it to Quinn and he takes the feed and that carries off one of his teammates in front. Strong use of the body to force the puck loose. Broken up with a stick in the defensive zone and he loses control of the puck. And now he angles it across to Slapovski. Great heads up play in the neutral zone by Thompson with the puck inside the defensive zone. Oh, great play to sideep the puck check. Both sides mixed up for that battle for the puck along the wall. Here’s a short pass to Li and the puck skips side of the zone. They’ll be forced to tag up. The Habs look to start the transition game. tips it along the wall by Dobson. See the stop by Welbo and the goalender grabs that one for a whistle to try to slow things down here. Nearing the midway mark of the period. It’s all tied up. Montreal’s won the face off deep in their own end. Too much congestion. Blocks the shot. Big go on the attack through center. The Sabres take possession in the defensive end. Buffalo’s coming along the wall. Denies him in close. Goender spent so much time doing tracking exercises and it’s utilized right here as he knows where this puck is coming from and he makes the save. Here’s a chance and that goes off someone in front and doesn’t reach the net. Sends a pass over. Quick shot. Oh, and he somehow got a little piece of it and it stays out of the net. Lucinan’s able to put that puck to the corner and it really keeps the puck out of harm’s way. No second shot opportunity. Gets a piece of it to make the save. Scooped up along the wall by Mloud. Buffalo’s in now. Shakes off the defender with some nifty moves. Slies it over to gain the zone from the left side. Moves it quickly over to Mat. Buffalo’s looking to break out of their own end. The Savers gain control of the puck against the wall. Oh, a clutch save. Does a great job with some great pushes to get to the top of his crease and make the save from a high danger area. Oh, here we go. And the goalender comes up with a piece of it to keep it out of the net. Moves the puck to Cfield. Buffalo trying to make something happen in the offensive zone. picks up the puck. Tremendous stop and the block by Mumbo. There’s the whistle as the puck is frozen up. These are the types of games that offense love and defense hates here, James. I mean, the puck is going north south every single time. Both teams trading chances at either end. [Applause] Past the halfway mark of this period. The next goal could be a big one as we are tied. Buffalo’s going to start with the puck inside the offensive zone. Oh, and a misfire as that goes right out of the zone. Takes control of the puck. handles the pass. Buffalo’s on the attack. Slides by the check. Reads it perfectly in the defensive end. They’ve got the defense outnumbered. There’s the whistle. We get a face off after the goalie covers up. The setters will glide into the dot. [Music] The Savers win the draw here at their own end through the open ice. They’re picking up steam. The Sabres play it along the wing. Pass back to the floor. Oh, puts it wide. Sometimes when you have the puck on your stick in a prime time and his goalender’s not going to like that one as he scores, putting it into his own net. Well, you don’t see that very often when you shoot it into your own net trying to clear the puck. That’s ugly. [Applause] Buffalo’s got a one-goal lead after that strike here in the first. Well, it’s all about quick strike and now they’ve got the go ahead. So, they know that they can be confident with the puck, but they certainly can’t sit back and protect it. Montreal’s got it in their own zone. Puck picked up in the open ice and that goes off a body. Evans takes it along the wing and that’s picked off in the neutral zone by Tuck. The Sabres have been stealing pucks all game. And when you intercept passes and you find ways to get your sticks in lanes, you typically find a way to possess the puck, but they’ve got to open it up here. This game’s awfully tight. A little crashing and banging forces the turnover. Montreal’s got control of it now from their own end. Suzuki’s got it in the defensive end. Buffalo’s grab a hold of the puck. Quick feed for Suzuki. Looks to set up at the point now. Puck picked up by Kulich. Steps inside. Grabbed along the boards by Kulich. Grabs the puck. Buffalo’s got the puck along the wall and now it’s grabbed by Hudson. Up along the wing. Good pass to Cfield. Great heads up play in the defensive zone. Montreal’s got the puck in the right in. There’s the save. Moves it to top. Slides the puck across to Cfield. Chang is coming up on the back end as they send the puck in. Buffalo’s got it in their own zone. Play is blown dead with the offside. More than half the period has expired. The Savers are clinging to a 2-1 lead. Buffalo’s won the draw and they take possession here in the open ice. Hard hit frees up the pop. Takes it up center. Mloud’s got it along the rim and that’s intercepted by line eight. Takes it across the blue line. Shot and there’s a glove save on the play. Battling for it along the boards. Oh, the thievery coming up with the puck on the play. Oh, we’ll get some tired defenders as icing is the call. Centers are lined up and we are ready to resume. Mloud’s won the draw in his own end. Now, let’s see if they can clear it. Here’s a short pass to Quinn from the neutral zone now. Handles the puck. Montreal’s gain possession. The Canadians take it along the rim. Buffalo’s got the puck and now he tries to get it across to Dome and he moves the puck back inside his own end. Mat’s got it in the defensive end. paints it over. Blocked and he may have just stopped a goal. I think he did, James. I mean, you got to protect the house, especially when it’s a great threat shot like that. And he finds a way to get in front of that and quick. Montreal’s got a hold of it along the wall. Moves it quickly over to top. There’s the whistle. Icing the call. Big face off looming. late goings of this period. The Savers lead at 2-1 in what has been an entertaining game thus far. Krebs has won the draw. They’ll go on the attack. The coach and team reminding each other that this is a critical face off. Anytime you’ve got your opponent on their heels after an icing, you have to find a way to have urgency in attack. The Habs pick up steam and are on the attack. Stopped with ease. Goender hangs on for the whistle. Back underway as he wins the draw inside the offensive zone and he takes the pass. Montreal’s got the puck inside the defensive zone. Buffalo’s got a hold of it against the wall. Shot stopped by the goender. Picked up along the wall by Benson. loses a shot. Denise him on a slobber down the left wing and into the offensive zone. Quick feed to Benson. Gaining speed through center and here they come on the attack. P scooped up by Kulich through center along the wing. The Canadians take it along the wall. Stos him in front. Well, he makes an incredible save on a point blank shot here of James. I love the way he’s aggressive. He’s competitive and he wins the battle. Picked up along the boards by going away friendly fire as it goes off one of his teammates. And that’s a smart heads up play by New Hook. Great use of the twig as he puts that one away. They fight for it along the boards. Taken along the wall by Kissle Ring. The Sabres get a hold of the puck in their own end through the middle of the ice. They enter the attacking zone. He was that one taken by Johnson. Quick pass to L. Sends it in on the attack. Looks to make a play over to Samuelson that knocks it off the puck. Angles it over to Lane. And they continue to apply pressure here. I love this boat check by the defender. And this isn’t easy. You know, the pace of play and the speed coming down on you. You have to make sure that that timing is correct because if you miss, they’re by and you look pretty silly. The Savers gain possession in their own end. A chance to get it out of the defensive zone. Gets it over to Hudson. Oh, great little takeaway at center. Stopped by the goender getting a piece of that one. Montreal’s in on the offensive attack now. The Sabers gain control of it. Takes the feed from his own end. Oh, they telegraph the pass and he picks it off. The Savers have it from their own end. Puck grabbed by Kessle Ring. Gaining momentum up along the side. Shot from the wall. P is frozen and we get a stoppage in play. A ton of connected play on both sides of the puck right now, generating a ton of speed and offense. Both teams looking to score goals. High danger scoring chances. Coaches don’t like this one because there’s not a lot of defense. Just here in the late stages of this frame, Buffalo’s got a slim lead. They lead it 2-1. And off the draw, they’ll take possession. Passes it over to Slatovski. Here they come on the attack. Can’t hang on to the puck after the play. Scooped up along the wall by Mat. Slides the puck ahead into the neutral zone. Shot. Oh, how do you miss that? It’s such a fast game and sometimes it’s hard to be situationally aware and know where everyone is on the ice. I think he had more time and he just rushed this one and he sails it wide and they’ll get a breather as the goalender covers it up. The Savers lead it here late in this first period. They win the face off here in their own end and take possession. tries to feed it up to Slapski. Ray Green on the block. Feeds the puck over to Slaposki and tries to make a dangle pass to Topfield. Look at this. They’ve got some bodies here on the attack. Grabbed along the board by Perry. Carries the puck through the neutral zone. And now it’s grabbed by Dolly. The Canadians look to start the transition game. Montreal’s caught the puck against the boards. The Sabres will play it in their own end. They put the puck into the offensive end. Montreal’s gained possession along the boards. Here they come. And now it’s over to Doc. Right in the open ice. That one’s picked off. And now he moves it to Gallagher. Broken up by Power. Montreal’s got the puck. save. A timely save is everything to your team. And this goalender, he bails his team out. Play ready to resume as everybody lines in for the face off. The Savers win the defensive zone faceoff. Pop moved over to Benson. Here’s a shot. That’ll do it for period number one. We’ll drop the puck on the second period in just moments. Hey fans, don’t forget to enter tonight for our team signed poster which will give away before the end of tonight’s game. [Applause] Fans back in their seats. Teams are on the ice. They’re ready to drop the puck here for period number two. Here we go. Middle frame now underway as the puck drops. All right, Cheryl. We’ve seen already one period played in this one. How do you assess this? The Canadians are really leaving their goalender high and dry right now. They’re giving up way too much off the rush. When your opponent has numbers, they’re going to capitalize. The Savers lead here in this second period, and they have been the more active team offensively. Pull just won the draw. Feeds it on over to Benson. Moves it to Byro. Takes that pass back to the point. Turns him away. Slides it diagonally to Suzuki. Offside the call. Will get a reset. Lots of hockey left to be played in this period. It’s 2-1. Nice job tying up his opponent. Slides it across to Cfield. Brings the puck into the offensive end now. Here’s a shot. Stopped by the goalender and the puck’s knocked loose. Loses possession after he takes a little hit. Shot deflected. Lucinence opted to hang on to the puck for a faceoff. Such an impressive save, James. And I love to look at these ones again because it’s not just being in great position. It’s being desperate. It’s finding a way to get to the puck, keeping your eye on it at all times, tracking it, out battling, and outwilling everyone around you. [Applause] Centers get set as they’re ready to drop the puck again and from off the wing he comes up with it with both centers strung up from the middle line. They take control of it. Lucinan’s got the puck and will hang on for the whistle. Well, he hasn’t been busy, James, but he makes a key save right there. Really important that he keeps his head and focus in the game. The clouds won the draw inside his own end. The save is taken across the blue line. Oh, it’s off the block and what a stop by. Great positioning by the goalender to redirect it to the corner getting it out of danger. Fires it. Blocked in front. Takes the feed. directs it on over to Bulu. Oh, excellent use of the stick as he knocks that one away. Great pressure with the stick. Takes a shot. Oh, just gets a grip on that one. Lucinan’s going to give everyone a chance to breathe and hang on to the puck. We’re still in the early stages of this period. It’s a 2-1 game. They win the draw and go on the attack. It’s the save. Cool. And calm under pressure. The Canadians win the draw. They barely attack here in the offensive zone. Shuts him down. Montreal’s got the puck here in the open ice. And now he angles it across to Captain. Oh, he hammered him. knew exactly what he was doing going into this along the boards. James, I love that it was a clean hit and he finishes it off perfectly. The Havs take possession here in the open ice. Throws it in. Samuelson’s got the puck in his own zone. Buckle moving it up the ice. Pass across to Kappan. Grabs the puck at center. Swing and a miss. And a nice takeaway in the defensive end by Thompson. The Savers have been picking off passes left, right, and center. You know, the coach is going to like this, but it has to transition to offense cuz this game’s awfully close. Great reach by Gallagher. Back to the blue line. Denies the slapper. Wow, James. I mean, not everyone can elicit a thunderous hit like that. I mean, he just clobbered his opponent. [Applause] Puck ready to drop here any moment to get things underway again. The Savers get a hold of the puck to their own end. taken by Byron. Here’s a short pass to Darlene. Montreal’s got control of it now from their own end. And just like that, from Adam Noar comes up with the P. Can’t worry about what happened in the game, James. It’s all about what they do now. Staying in the present. That’s exactly what they’ve done. And they’ve got the equalizer. When you watch his play from start to finish, I think of one word and that’s attack. James, he does a great job when he’s in defensive posture to know when that puck is coming and intercepted. He’s attacking, he’s driving, he’s finding ways to possess and then finishing it off with a goal. That is a complete play. The Canadians have evened things up here in period number two. We got ourselves a new game. Yeah, you love these games that go back and forth and they’ve worked hard to get to this point and now they got an equalizer. Giddy up and loses possession after a solid hit. Quick pass across to Norris. Buffalo’s got the puck over the wall. What a steal at his own end. Buffalo’s got possession at center and he takes the feed. Takes the shot turned aside with the glove by Mumbbo. We got a whistle as the puck’s frozen. Still plenty of time left in this frame. We got a tie game and they win the draw on their own end. Tries to get the puck over to Doc. Gaining momentum along the boards and they’ll go the other way with it. Great play by Freds. Montreal’s got the puck. Long lead pass into the neutral zone. That’s a solid hit. Loves the puck into the corner of the offensive zone and he stakes that one with the plum. Play set to resume with the faceoff ready to go. 50. Evans wins the offensive zone faceoff and here we go. And that’s blocked in traffic. Moves it to Dome and he’s ridden off the puck. Enters the offensive zone from the left and that goes off a player. And he uses his reach to disrupt the play. Montreal’s got the puck in the defensive end. Buffalo’s got it in the neutral zone. Fires it on net. Pump picked up by Anderson through the neutral zone and up along the wing and they’ll dump it in. Dishes it to Quinn. There’s a collusion with some authority. Jones swooping in on the attack and offside. We’ll get a reset here. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Buffalo’s won the draw in the neutral zone. Shakes off the coverage. Moves it quickly over to Morris. Huge play in his own end to come up with the puck. Passes on over to Slaposki and the intensity starting to ramp up here after that hit. slides the puck across to Mat and now it’s grabbed by Cfield and tries to make a diagonal pass to Suzuki. Intercepts it in the neutral zone. Clears the zone and they’ll be forced to regroup. Quick feed to Timmons. Samuelson’s got the puck now in his own end. Tough stick handling in his own zone. fires it, scores. The go ahead goal puts them in front. Well, and this has been trending to happen, James. And in closing on the puck quickly, you sense an upward trajectory as this game progressed and they find the back of the net. This is such a beautifully executed goal, but it’s all in the past. James, knowing exactly where everyone is on the ice, you have to have the hands to be able to distribute a puck like this. But how about the vision? How about scanning? How about processing where everyone is? This is unbelievable from start to finish. [Applause] The Sabres are finding that little extra pep in their step here in the second period and have taken a onegoal lead as a result. Well, they break the deadlock and that’s huge. Now you’re playing in front, but I think this face off and the shift that ensues is critical, James. Now you got your opponent right where you want them. You’re back on their heels. take advantage and try and get another one with possession along the wall. Gives some nothing in front. Covers it up and we’ll get a stoppage in play. Still lots of time left in the period. The Savers have taken the lead here over the last few minutes. They’d love to build on it. Montreal’s won the defensive zone draw. looking dangerous as they move along the boards. A little dipsy doodle and he loses possession of the puck. Tried a great move there. We all know with great hands he scores. Oh, the one T and full effect. Ah, this is his wheelhouse. I mean, this is exactly where he wants the puck. You leave him open for a moment and his teammates are going to find and that’s what happens here and he executes like he always does. That’s a beautiful finish. But I’m telling you, he’s got to go over to his teammate and say, “Thank you very much for that beautiful pass.” I mean, it was placed perfectly on his stick. He didn’t have much time to react, but he could collect it and he found a way to put it home. Buffalo’s extended the lead to two. Well, James, it’s exactly where you want to be. You have a twogoal cushion here, but you also know that your opponent’s going to start pressing. There’s a lot of game left here and if they get within one, they’ll be within striking distance. Montreal’s got it behind the net. Works it across to D. Stops it with the ball. There’s the whistle as the puck stopper elects to hang on. And we’re moments away from getting back underway here with the puck drop. [Applause] Puck has dropped and he wins the draw here in the defensive zone. The Canadians cross the blue line and are on the attack. Stops that one. Lukan’s been really sharp tonight, James. And then just have a look at his save percentage. I mean, making the stops that he needs to. The man, his team’s played well. They got going north. They created opportunities and the reason why they have a healthy lead. Montreal’s got possession here in the neutral zone. Oh, just a textbook hit. Quick pass to Thompson and he takes the ditch. There’s the whistle. Offside is the call. Inching closer to the midway mark of this period. The Savers now lead by two. Buffalo’s won it. moves it to go. Takes a shot and it’s stopped by the glove. Nice play there. Mont’s going to hang on to the puck for a whistle. Sometimes when you’re trailing in a game, you can kind of be flat. You can be dull, if you will. So, you need a spark. And this is a type of hit that can really ignite a fire under your team. You can see it right away with the body language on the bench. They liked it. So, look for that next shift for them to be on their toes, not on their heels anymore. Mloud’s won the face off, but now let’s see what they can do. Slapovsky’s got the puck along the wing. Can’t connect. Passes the puck over to Quinn down the right side and into the zone. The Hav scooping up along the boards. Here’s a race for the loose puck. Pucks down the ice. We’ll get an icing. [Applause] The Canadians start with the puck in the road end. You hate it when you ice a puck and it comes 200 ft back to your zone. Got to give your center a tap on the pads after you win that one and get out. Close and the puck stopper jumps on top of it to get a stoppage in play. Looks like lineups are set and they’re ready to get things back underway. [Applause] Oh, and he takes possession of the puck from off the wing with the centers all locked up there off the draw. [Applause] Norris wins the draw inside his defensive zone. Booms the puck. Here’s a shot and he was ready for that save. Here’s a short pass to Strubble right through center and into the offensive zone. scrum along the wall and the puck clears the slow, they’ll be forced to leave as well. Takes it and looks ahead. But for those looking to break out of their own end, the Havs have it now. Norris takes it inside his own end. Picked up along the lane by Dolly. Quick pass to Tuck. Buffalo’s cross the line and on the attack. Puts it on net. That’s love by Mumbbo. We’ll get a face off after the puck stays covered up. Still lots of time left here in this frame. Buffalo’s doubled up on them. It’s now 4-2. And off the draw, they win possession. Slides the puck across to Anderson. The Sabres look to start the transition game. along the wing up the neutral zone. West on that. Montreal’s got a hold of it against the wall. Receives the pass. Whacks it into the offensive zone. Handles it over to Kessle Ring. Good use of the body to knock them off the puck. Regains possession at center. That’s gloved by Lucin. Goender covers it up and we’ll get a reset here. Moments away from the faceoff. Let’s get back to the action. The Sabres win it in the defensive zone. [Applause] Dishes it to Thompson. Great read by Doc. Fires it. Oh, and he stops that one. That was served up with a whole lot of spice. [Applause] Montreal’s won the face off. The Savers have a hold of it in the defensive zone. Montreal’s ready to go on the attack. Moa quickly over to Kerier. Battle ensues for that loose puck along the boards and they’re off to the races for the loose puck and he comes up with it. Exploring options here inside the defensive zone. Sends it over to Doc. The Savers take possession in the defensive end. Quick feed to Boot. Buffalo’s got the puck along the wall. Great pass from the left wing up the middle now. can’t hang on to the biscuit after that. Montreal’s got the puck against the half wall. The lane is plugged up and that shot’s blocked. Puck scooped up by Mloud. Dumps it in. Montreal gained possession along the boards. Slides the puck over through the neutral zone now. picking up steam and he loses possession to the puck after trying to make one too many moves and that doesn’t go well. Here’s a chance and not much on that one. You know the goal is dialed in when you read your extra puck to the corner. The Sabres gain control of the puck against the wall. Picked up along the boards by Suzuki. Phenomenal save with the glove to knock it away. What a fantastic save from a high dens scoring area, James. and he’s bailing his team out. They have to do a better job of protecting the middle of the ice. Past the halfway mark in this period. The Sabres have some breathing room as they lead by a pair. It’s 42. Takes the pass. Montreal’s going to hold up along the wall through the neutral zone and into the offensive end. The Canadians going to work on offense. [Music] This is an incredibly intelligent shot, James. It’s recognize that there’s net front presence in front of the goalender who’s hopping to a butterfly to try and take away as much net as possible. And it finds it way through. The Canadians needed that, Cheryl, and they seem to have some life now. Well, they’ve shortened the deficit, and there’s nothing better to get you back in the game than one goal to put themselves on their toes. But again, they’re going to have to have an attack mentality. They want to get an equalizer. Hawks out of the offensive zone. They’ll be forced into it over foot center. Takes the feed. The Habs carried along the wall. I don’t think anybody was hanging on to the puck after that hit. Cavan’s exploring options with the puck. Quick pass to Lane and that shot dies in traffic and that’s knocked away and that plays offside. We got a face off coming up. Officials are set. Players seem ready. We’re ready to get this thing back underway. And off the face off, they take possession and the puck leaves the zone. Takes it across the blue line. Tries to feed it over to Boris. Stopped by the goender. And there’s a puck in the court. Pumps up with the block. And that’s blocked. They are really buzzing here on the offensive end. And it’s picked up by the defense. Oh, here on the play. Anderson’s going to play it against the half wall. Quick feed down low. Slides a diagonally to Kerier. Here’s the blue line. Looks to set up at the point. Oh, that’s a rattler. Did you hear those boards rattle? Gets the puck in deep. trying to engage a little physicality here and that’s broken up by Greenway. Oh, look at this. Good save. Oh, that’s a great shot block there. Well, yeah. I mean, it’s great a scoring chance and you want to make sure that you get in front of that one and he did. He gets all of it. Quick shot and he’s got that one. Oh, that’s an absolutely massive hit, James. These are the types of hits that can change the landscape of the game. And the power of the legs right through the body. Lack of awareness there on the puck carrier here in the back half of this period. The Savers lead it 4-3. And they take possession after the defensive zone faceoff from the right side. Takes the pass. And now he tries to get it across to Sutter. Huge stop by Lieutenant to the middle. Great defensive play to pick off the pass. plays the puck up ahead. Musakio. The Canadians are in transition. Buffalo’s got the puck. Feeds it to Norris. Moves the puck back inside his own end into the offensive zone. Slides the puck ahead to line eight. Good heads up defensive play as he extends the stick, cuts it over to it. Oh, and he comes up with a stop. Ref blows the whistle as the puck’s covered up. Montreal’s trailing at the midway mark of this one, but it’s not for a lack of scoring chances. All sorts of shots, just no finish. Buffalo’s got a hold of the puck. Do the line and on the attack. Oh, had a chance to make a nice move and the puck gets to Greenwell. Oh, I know what he was trying to do there, James. He thought he had it with that move, but he created some space for himself, but unfortunately loses the handle and it dies on the stick. It’s in the score and that might be out. I think so, James. I mean, goenders are so good at tracking the puck and fighting to find it. And I don’t think he saw it or knew where it was. So, his feet start swimming in the crease and as a result, the puck goes in. That’s a tough one. Well past the midway mark of this period. It’s all tied up. The clouds quick lands the puck here at center. Great heads up play in the neutral zone by Lonnie. He got all about that here. Here’s a short pass to Samuelson. Oh, that has some heat on it. He makes the save. Moves it quickly over to Kappan. Here they come on the attack down the right side. Suck down on the blocker. Here’s a pass to the middle and a pass. finish on the play on a deflected shot. Everyone always talks about the stick positioning. How about the timing to get to the slot area as well and the ability to just tap it down and redirect it. Montreal’s taken a onegoal lead here in period number two. Yeah. Now it’s about not sitting back, not saying, “Hey, we’ve got a lead. We’re going to protect it.” But being aggressive and trying to go after more. Quick feed to Kulich. The Canadians get a hold of the puck in their own end. Sends the pass over. Oh, look at this chance. Turned aside with the glove by Lukein. Time of the 13 minutes 58 seconds. Montreal’s got the decided edge in the shot department here tonight in the second period and they continue to lead. Evans won the draw and they’ll start off on the attack and that’s intercepted on the defensive end. The coach won’t be very happy with that play, James. Listen, that’s a good way to get your butt glued to the bench, especially when you have a lead. Quick pass to Thompson and that tears off a body in traffic along the boards. They battle for the puck back and forth. Big hit and that frees up possession. More than half the period has gone by. Hope you’re enjoying this one. Montreal’s got a one-goal lead. The Savers win the faceoff and that’s blocked away. Turns it away. Puck is frozen and will get a faceoff. The centerman glide into position. Norris wins it. They’ll go to work now on the attack. Big time save on a big time shot. And we’ll get the whistle after the goalender hangs on. locks him up on the draw as they take possession. Lets it fly. Beautiful block shot by the defender. Takes it along the wall by Tuck. No way for that shot to go through. Pulls the puck to the attacking area from right out of midair. He bats it down. And now it’s over to Tuck. Reads the pass perfectly and picks it off. Fires it into the offensive zone. The Savers have it against the wall and they come up with it as the puck skips out. Buffalo’s got the puck in their own end. So much for his second of the night. Yeah, I expected he’s going to be looking for the Hattie because he’s been all around the paint tonight, James showing off his skill set. He’s going to get this on and off the stick on the back end in a hurry here. James, really nice play knowing where everyone is, in particular the goalender in that low slot area. The Canadians extend the lead to two here as they get closer and closer to intermission. Cheryl, great timing to go up by two. You’ve dictated the play. You’re coming into the end of the second period. to find a way to get another. Now, right off of this face off, they really want to set the tone and keep their opponent on their heels. Nice stuff by Lucin. Goender covers up. We got a stoppage in play. Montreal’s been bringing the heat offensively all night long. And they continue to lead here late in this little frame. And there’s a little help from your friends right there from off the wing coming up with the puck. They’ve got numbers here. Buffalo’s got possession of the puck and he takes the feed and then carries off a stick. The Canadians will play it from the defensive zone. Can’t pull the trigger. Buffalo’s got the puck. Quick pass across to Buke. Montreal’s got it against the boards. Here’s a chance in front. Some really great puck movement and speed to the neutral zone to gain that possession on entry, James. And then it’s all about drive and attack. They take advantage of the miracle advantage and they bury it. The Canadians are probably thinking, “We don’t want this period to end the way things are going.” Sean, you’ve been in these types of games before. No, James. If I’m playing in this game, I do not want the intermission because everyone is firing on all cylinders. They’re in a rhythm, and we have that kind of energy going for you. You don’t want to sit and wait for the third. Their opponent certainly wants that time, but I don’t think they do. Montreal’s in cruise control here late in period number two as they lead by a wide margin. Buffalo’s won it. Now they’ll go on the attack. The defense is stopping the coach with the stop. The Sabres take possession of the neutral zone. Sends a pass over. He stopped it. He stopped. Oh, he’s like a rubber band, James. I thought he was out of the net, but he finds his way back in to make that save. Big time stop there. This is a really nice save, James. I mean, the shooter’s in the middle of the ice is in the slot area. He’s got to get to the top of the crease square of the puck to be able to make that save. Great job. Mont’s going to hang on for a whistle. I always say to be great, you have to get uncomfortable. As we look at this last save, this looks uncomfortable. stretching your body, finding a way to make yourself as big as possible to get to the save. That’s what he did and that’s why the save was made. And both centers glide into the dot as a faceoff set to resume. And from off the wing, he comes up with it with both centers strummed up. Montreal’s got a hold of it against the wall. Great read in the offensive zone by cut. Can’t get it to go. Montreal’s got the puck along the boards. The Savers get a hold of it. Moose to Norris looking to make something happen in the offensive zone. What a steal in his own end. As an athlete, you always want to try and contribute and get things going for your team and especially when you’re trailing, you want to ignite a spark. Unfortunately, early the Canadians have been on the right side of the puck in this game, James, and they’d be in the lead by an extensive amount if they could just find the back of the net. I mean, man, how many times have they hit the post? Tries to make a move and can’t hang on to the P. Trying a nifty move when you have good hands. Sometimes it works, sometimes you get denied. And that’s what happened there. tosses it to Norris. Montreal’s got possession at center. The Canadians are across the line and into the offensive end. Battle along the boards. Buffalo’s got the puck along the wall. Nice zone entry on the left side along the half wall with the puck and that carries off a body in the lane. The Canadians move the puck in the defensive zone. through the organizer picking up steam. Shot too many bodies in the way. Said over to Greenway. Buffalo’s in transition. Here’s a short pass to Thompson. Montreal’s looking to break out of the end. Slides the pass over to Boop along the board as they battle for the puck. moves it quickly over top and a great save. Montreal’s looking to break out arms in the air. We got a penalty coming up. Comes up with a stop. Whistle then stopping the play. The Sigs will be forced to serve. Two minutes for cross checking. The body language on the bench says it all, James. They’re all looking up at the time on the clock to see if they’ll continue to run because they got to kill off this penalty when they’re down a bunch of goals. Perhaps their men advantage here though once more. They’ve already scored on the power play tonight, James. And if it ain’t broke, they don’t fix it. The coach has got them all ready to go fired up. They’ve worked endlessly on this setup. And man, is it working tonight? And the middle frame almost done. Quick feed to Lane. Passes it to BU. tosses it on to D. Quick pass to Boo. Shot. Makes the save and put out the fire in front. Sends it deep inside the offensive zone. Handles the pass from the right side. The Canadians move to the offensive zone. Too easy with the glove. Goender, they have to have talent. They have to have mobility. They have to be able to track the puck, but they have to have a willingness to find it and fight for any second shot. And that’s exactly what happens here. Out battling, out willing, and you make the save. Special teams so important. Can they capitalize on this power play here with a face off? Suzuki’s won the face off here in the offensive zone. Oh, he’ll steal that one. What a block. Well, he’s firing on all cylinders here getting to that shot lane. He really anticipates the greatest threat on the ice and he makes sure that he redirects that puck and makes a save. Moses to cut grab by Suki picking up a hes on the breakaway. Tremendous save on an incredible chance there. I can’t believe he’s been denied. He needed to make that save with seconds and he makes the save. And there’s the horn bringing the second period to an end. All right, they say three is the magic number. Period number three is coming up next. Just a reminder to always keep your eye on the buck if you enter the seating area and cause serious injury. What are you doing? The final frame of regulation has arrived. It’s period number three and it’s about to go down. The Canadians win possession here as we open up the period and that power play is still intact. Who’s the puff on the half? Oh, stick save and a be. Buffalo’s got possession while underman along the side. Here they come through the neutral zone. Montreal’s got a hold of it along the wall. Handles the pass looking to make something happen along the boards. Tenacious Donald for the puck along the wall. He puts it in deep. The Canadians will have one last chance to move the puck up here on this power play. Mloud’s bounty is almost expired. Delays him. He got all of it in front of the net and the goalender covers up for a whistle on the play. Just moments away from the resumption of this power play. They’re ready to drop the puck here for this faceoff. They win the draw and go on the attack. Yeah, that’s a bad pass and they’ll be forced to do this over again with a comfortable lead. James, some would say that that power play really wasn’t a big deal, but I would say different. It’s really important that you push, you continue to work on your habits because the timing could be different next time. Dishes it off and that’s intercepted by Dobson. Slides the puck to Doc. taken by Dolli right up the gut into the attacking zone. Makes the move and the puck hops away from him. Well, he’s showing off his skill set trying to make a silky move around the defender, but he gets denied. Buffalo’s got control of it now from their own end. Here they come on the attack down the left side and the puck skips away after that move. Jones taking it from his own end. Just a little too much contact and couldn’t hang on to the puck. Play blown dead. Let’s get the call. The Habs will now be under man with a cross-checking penalty. Well, when you cross check, it is black and it is white. And I’m telling you right now, that is a call all day long. The officials saw it. It is an undisiplined penalty. [Applause] Buffalo’s man advantage unit will take to the ice for the first time tonight. Well, the first power play of the game is a real tone center. You know, you’re on your toes and you’re really showing the other team that you mean business. You can be potent and they got to be disciplined if they don’t want you to capitalize. Oh, how about that? Get out the ice pack, A James. That’s what you got to do if you want to compete for a PK spot. He does exactly that and he takes away the shot. Scrum along the wall. unable to reach that one. Grabs the puck. Oh, and he misfires on that and a quick little stick lift and comes up with a turnover from their own end trying to kickstart this power play. Tucks got it along the wing shot. Oh, he just gets a piece of it to keep it out. Makes a save again. And the sequence of saves. I love how strong he is in his set position here, James. You can see that he gets square to the shooter and that makes the second save easier. Anderson’s going to the offensive end. Long jam in front. That’s broken up. Moves it over to Thompson. Montreal’s got it now. Oh, they telegraph the pass and he picks it off. Buffalo’s got it in their own zone. Broken up in the neutral zone by Gallagher. Here’s a shot. Oh, he comes up with a big stop there. Here’s a short pass to Gallagher. Buffalo’s got it in their own zone. Reaches out and uses the stick. Jumps it into the opposite side. Buffalo’s got the puck behind the net. The Savers take it across the line with the steel. Working to shake the pressure from the defensive zone. Time to execute here on this power play. And we’ve got an offside with a faceoff looming. Well, I love what he’s trying to do here, James. He wants to separate the body from puck. And that’s exactly what you got to do. You got to play with a competitive edge and an intensity. Chance to reset here on the draw. This man advantage. And with the centers tied up, he swoops in to take possession. Mloud’s got the pass. Most the shot attempt, takes the puck as the clock ticks down on the penalty kill and they’ll get it out of the defensive end. Puck picked up by Power. Takes the pass on the left wing. The Sabres run out of time on the man advantage. Both sides back to even strength. Shots him down. Well, the PK does a great job. And when you kill a penalty, you create momentum. Great start there. Montto has been counted on and relied upon in the big moments of this game to come up with a big save. He almost makes it look easy here, James. Know sometimes you’re not under siege, but you still have to come up huge when the timing is called for. And he does. He comes up big and really gives his team an opportunity. [Applause] The Canadians are on cruise control here in this third period, leading big and they win the draw in the offensive zone and they go to work. Stops the rocket of a shot and the goalender grabs that one for a whistle to try to slow things down here. Montreal has got the lead early in the third period. They have been the far busier team offensively tonight. Takes possession off the draw. Comes up with the stop in front and a stoppage on the play as the goalender covers things up. Centers glide into the dots. We’re ready to get things back going again. And they win the draw on their own end. Powers moving the punt through his own zone. Three gets to go and now it’s grabbed by threads. Montreal’s gain possession along the boards and he throws it across to the Havs will play it in their own end. Had the puck on his stick for a great portion of this game so far. James, he’s creating. He’s at a multi-point night and it’s not done yet. up the neutral zone now. The Savers take it along the wall and they’ll battle for that loose puck along the boards. Scooped up along the wall by Greenway and that’s deflected off someone in front. The Canadians have it against the wall. Works it across to Cfield. Oh, what a stop by Metro. As a defender, you love when your goalender has this kind of rebound control. Makes your life so much easier. Brand on the board by Power. The Savers have it now. Moves it quickly over to Krebs. Cross up the puck after that hit. Quick feed to Greenway. How did he stop that one? Scoops up the puck here. Montreal’s got the puck. Cfield’s got it in the offensive zone and he was ready for that one. There’s the whistle as the goalie hangs on. The Habs have a significant lead here in the third period. They have brought their aame tonight. Buffalo’s got the puck after winning the defensive zone faceoff. Grabbed in the open ice by Cabinet and he gives it over to Hudson and that pass is redirected. Puck scooped up by Dolly. Kick pass to Thompson and he gets it in front of that one-time. New Hook’s got the puck in his own zone. Right up the gut into the offensive end. Turns it aside with the glove. Handles the puck. Moves it to Zuker. The hat scooping up along the boards closed around along the half wall and the comes up with a piece of it to keep it out of the net. Passes it over. Oh, how they keep it out. What a stop by Lukan. Montreal’s going to hold the puck. Toss it up on the play. handles it over to Dolly. Montreal’s got the puck inside the defensive zone and he takes the pass. Tucks lugging the puck. Look at this. Down the right wing. They’re on the attack. Sent into the offensive zone. Back at the point set it up and that’s off target as it hits the body. Cobs trying to gun it out. Scores a huge goal here has put them right back into this one. Yeah, and if they can get one more, they’ll be one away from tying this game up, James. So, it’s about building and continually finding ways to press and be aggressive on the puck. Well, he’s going to get an A for effort on this goal, James. No question about it. He retrieves his noses in on it and then he has a knack for the net to finish it off. Buffalo’s clearly sending a message that they’re not going to roll over in this one. With a twogoal deficit, they have to have desperation and urgency. They’ll need two players on the puck at all times. Retrieval to possess the puck is necessary. Picks off the pass, takes a shot, and he gets enough to keep it out. Zucker’s made an incredible play there, James. He stumbles in front of the net, but finds the puck and could have lost it, but manages to stay with it enough to get a shot off. Tries to get it over to Tuck. He can hold on that one. Fires it on net. Oh, how did he get a piece of that? Tuck’s been outstanding tonight. The puck is on a string on his stick. And when you look at his game, I think of his vision. I think of his scanning ability. And then, of course, his hands. You have to have all three of these things if you’re able to make those plays. And it certainly pays off with the offense. The Canadians have shown no signs of stopping putting pucks on net and they lead it here in this third. The Savers take possession here inside the offensive zone. Huge steal in his own end. The Canadians played along the boards. Lovs the puck down with a stick. Buffalo’s through center and now in the offensive end takes a spill onto the ice and loses the puck. Doc’s got it in the defensive end. Solid hit on the play. Here’s a short pass to Kulich. Montreal’s got the puck in the defensive end from the open ice. They gain the line. moves the puck into the attacking area. The Habs gain control of the puck. Hudson stick handling in his own zone. Takes the feed. Duke’s got it against the boards. Shot and that one’s turned away. Poked away in the offensive end. Slides it to Thompson. Jones into the offensive zone now on the attack. Montreal’s got the puck in their own end. Streaking through center, they go on the attack. The Sabers get a hold of the puck. Feeds it over to Norris. He carries the puck up along the wing. Great reach with the punch up by Mat. The Savers gain possession. Here’s a shot. Oh, looks safe. picked up along the wall by Anderson. Hon has been outstanding, James. I mean, that last sequence was so impressive. I mean, he re-energized his team now as they make their way up the ice. The Savers have a hold of it in the defensive zone. And the puck’s booted away from the point. They take control of it. Here he is from the slot. Oh, what a stop by Lucin. I love the save, James. I mean, the goalender is so aggressive on this play. Doesn’t give the shooter any time to get rid of it. Montreal’s got the puck and he’s going to hang on. I don’t think anyone minds watching that one again, James. I I mean, he’s so dialed in in his crease. You think this is all but in and then he comes out of nowhere to make that spectacular save. He never gives up and he finds a way to get to it. The Habs have been the aggressor offensively tonight as they continue to lead in the third. Krebs wins the draw though with the setup here offensively. Big time stop there up along the wing. Tough grab by New Hook. Oh, and look who gets dropped once again. Well, he’s a target now, James, because he’s got a lack of spatial awareness. You got to keep your head up if you want to play this game and be safe in it. Fires it into the offensive zone. Moves it quickly over to By and he up with the pass. Krebs works the puck in his own zone. Sends it in deep. The Habs get a hold of the puck along the boards. picked off by Slapovski. Well, no question. This is a frustrating play for everyone. It almost feels like it’s going from bad to worse. You’re losing. You’re trying to get something going. Instead, you turn over the puck. Centering pass in front and he denies that great opportunity there taken by sacrifices the body to block that in front. Montbo’s opted to hang on to the puck for a faceoff. Let’s have a look at that last hit. I mean, that was absolutely huge change. You know that this is a momentum change and you can see the bench erupt with that one. Some last second communication before both teams get ready to drop the puck here. The Habs win the draw. Here they come up along the wing. Takes the shot. Oh, what a stop. Buffalo’s got a hold of the puck and now he moves it to Kulich. Montreal’s got the puck along the boards and he passes it up ahead to Suzuki. Bumped off the puck. Buffalo’s got control of it now from their own end and he takes the feed. Montreal’s got a hold of it along the wall. Puts it on the left and there was stopped. Picked up along the boards by Suzuki here. They come through center and into the offensive end. Slides it across. Tremendous block on the play. Well, and the bench really erupts on that one because otherwise it would have been in the back of the net. From the left side, they enter the attacking zone. Throws it to the crease. Oh, one of his teammates is right in the shooting lane there. Tries to feed it over to Lane. Fires it. Stopped with ease. The Sabres will play it from the defensive zone. Takes a shot. Stopped by the goalender. Great positioning by the goalender to redirect it to the corner. Getting it out of danger. Taken along the wall by Duck. Battling for it along the boards. Quick feed to Duck. Oh, you knew this was just a matter of time. Well, when you’re going to physically engage and land a hit like that, you better be prepared to drop the gloves. Oh, down he goes. And he goes down hard. Yeah, he does, J. square. And you can see that he’s laboring to get up. The home side is going to gain a lot of adrenaline after that win. Frustration, physicality, and that fight says it all. They’ve got the debris all cleared up off the ice and both teams step in for the face off. New Hook’s won the face off and now let’s see what they can do. Makes the save. Lucin’s got the puck and he’s going to slow things down. Well, he’s slowing things down because his team has been under siege. James, it’s the third period. It’s a tight game and he elects to get the whistle. I like this decision. It’s the right one. Now everyone can get a rest and coach can get the right personnel out there. Here’s a shot and there’s the save. Good shot. Freeze the puck up. Montreal’s got a hold of it against the wall. Grabbed along the board by New Hook. Takes the shot. Score. Well, just what the doctor ordered or in this case the fan base. It’s amazing how a game can change within seconds and how the temperature meter can completely switch. And that’s what’s happened with this goal, James. You can certainly tell that the energy has shifted and they’re looking for the equalizer. One goal game now. I love how he kept his feet moving and established some pressure, engaging with the body and turns the puck over. When he does, he does something with it, James. He doesn’t just stand around. He makes a play and that play results in a goal. That’s a beauty assist. The Sabres dial up exactly what they needed, a goal here in the third. A lot of push back right now at the latter half of the third period. And you know that the coach is going to make some adjustments. You want to have the opportunity to get your star gifted, creative offensive players out there when you need to get an equalizer. And that’s a great defensive heads up to force the turnover. Oh, look at this. Great extension on his part to poke it away. And that puck leaves the zone. Scooped up along the wall by Dene. Knocked off the puck. Buffalo’s looking to break out. Feeds the puck to Byra. Nice feet at center. Moves up ahead now. And we’ll get a breather here with offside the call. Montreal’s got the edge in the shot department. A big reason why they lead here in this third period. And they take control of the puck here in the neutral zone. Tried to get two Q with it and loses possession. He’s got such a slick set of hands. He’s trying to manipulate his opponent one by one, but he tries one too many James and he loses the puck. Mon reach breaks up the momentum. Denied by the goalender. Denise the shooter on that play. Not sure if anyone’s helping him out there, but he’s dialed in and doing it all himself. Making consecutive saves. Floss it right onto the tape. Buffalo’s looking to break out of their own end. Push it on. Stopped by the goalending. The Canadians gain control of the puck against the wall. Gets it out of his own end. Grabs the puck. Nice feed from the right wing. Real stop the puck. The Sabers scoop it up along the boards. Pass to the front and that bakes off a stick. Takes the feet to the back end and that doesn’t reach the net. This is the best part of the game. It’s really tight. It’s down the stretch. One mistake either way will be the difference maker. Huge play in his own end to come up with the puck. When you’re trailing in a game, sometimes you try and do too much. You’re overly aggressive and you try and do a high risk, high reward play. And that’s exactly what happens here. Unfortunately, goes the other way. Makes the save of a stopper. There’s the whistle as the puck stopper likes to hang on. A big face off here inside the offensive end. The Savers win the draw. The Canadians move the puck in the defensive zone. Look out. Here they come on the attack. Quick pass to Strubble. Glove save made by Lucinan and they’ll cover it up forcing a stoppage in play. The Habs continue to lead here in this third period. They’ve been the busier team offensively and they win the defensive zone faceoff. Slides it diagonally to Kessle Ring. Takes it across the blue line. Thompson into the Ozone. Hudson’s taking it from his own end. Into the offensive end now. Picked up along the wall by Kulich. On the attack, they come down the right wing. The Canadians get a hold of the puck in their own end. The Savers gain control of it. Here’s a chance. And makes the routine save. Let’s reflect on that save again. I want to see it because in real time, I thought that puck was going in, James, and he manages to find it. Like, listen, you don’t make those saves in practice. to why you don’t have that level of desperation. This is urgency. This is instincts. And he makes an unbelievable stop. Montreal’s looking to close things out here. They’ve been the dominant team all night. Hard to see them taking their foot off the gas now. And off the draw they win possession and it’s kicked away. Moves it to Quinn and he shoots that one out as he gets a piece of the glove. A lot on the line here in this offensive zone faceoff. The Sabers win the draw and they go on the attack here in the offensive zone. And we get a whistle as the goender decides to hang on to this one. A critical draw here. Oh, and he takes possession of the puck from off the wing with the centers all locked up there off the draw. Here’s a short pass to Lane. Good battle along the boards for the puck. Moves it quickly over to Quinn. Here they come on the attack. What a hit on the play. Oh my. Yeah, you clearly knew what he was doing here. He got all of them. Tags him knowing full well that he’s going to disengage that. Love it. Buffalo’s got it in their own zone and he takes the dish. Takes the puck at the point. Montreal’s got control of it now from their own end. Quick pass across to Kaepern. gives some nothing in front. The Canadians gain possession along the wall. Montreal’s got the puck against the boards. The Sabres gain possession in their own end. It over and a nice take on the defensive end by Suzuki. Works it across to Greenway. picked up along the boards by Kerier. Montreal’s got it in their own zone. Well, if you want to be out there at the end of the game, you got to make smart decisions with the puck. And that’s one right there. Just electing to put the puck in deep. And Kate, play safe. Buffalo’s got the puck against the half wall. Grabbed along the board by Hudson. Along the right wall and into the offensive end. grabs the puck in the defensive zone. Here we go. Puck’s in deep. Montreal’s got possession of the puck. Oh, a poor bottling hit right there. Well, certainly was lined up perfectly. Body on body weight distributed right in there. Blocked in traffic and a great save. We’ll get a face off after the puck stays covered up. Well, that’s how you get a puck, James. I mean, you recognize the timing it takes to meet your opponent right at the right time. I mean, that’s just an explosive hit. Gets the job done. This is a faceoff they’ll definitely want to win here inside the offensive zone. Buffalo’s won the draw. Kessle Rings moving the puck to his own zone. Norris looks around, takes it in front, and that won’t go as it hits one of his own teammates in front. Oh, they telegraphed the pass, and he picks it up. Redirected off one of his own linemates there. Puck not loose after that hit. Buffalo’s trying to make something happen in the offensive zone. Who’s the puck? The Habs will play it in their own end. Buffalo’s got the puck inside the defensive zone up along the wall on the right side and into the attacking area. The Canadians get a hold of the puck along the boards. Taken along the wall by Dobson. Takes control of the puck. Quick feed to Cfield. Here’s a great use of the stick right there to poke it away. The Havs gain possession. Quick shot. Cup picked up by Dalene nearing the final minute of regulations. Good reach to the stick to knock the puck away. The Canadians have it now. Oh, great read on the play. Quick pass to Thompson. Shot up with a stop. Cfield’s got it along the boards. That’s a smart play at this time of the game. James gets to put the puck in. Deep kill. Some valuable clock. Tries to get it to Samson. Montreal’s got a hold of it against the wall. Trailing in this one. They have pulled the goalie and the extra attackers out. Dumps the puck in. Montreal’s got the puck. A spirited battle along the boards for the puck. Montreal’s looking to break out of their own end. There’s the whistle. Let’s get the call from the officials. Touched and flagged for cross checking. Just when the coach is likely thinking about pulling the goalie because you’re down by one, you take a penalty. Tough call. Montreal’s got another opportunity here on the man advantage. those taking possession of their own end. Byron’s crossed the line and is on the attack now. Great defensive effort breaking up the pass. Sometimes when you’re losing, you can get caught up towards the deep scores into the empty net and that should probably seal the deal. James the insurance marker a lot of fun as well. Goal scoring is fun. Doesn’t matter how it goes in even if it is an empty net. That’s a strong record all the way around. Stingy defensively at the end of the game and they’re able to get that empty net. And at the nine minutes here, James, it should seal the deal. The Hats maintain that persistence like they have all night long. They add the empty net. I think that’s fair to say this is this is over, right? Oh, it’s over, James. No question about it. You can see the illusion on the faces and on the bench. They know that and they get the W. That’s all she is the better team tonight. They may come away with the win. But I’ll tell you what, they had to work for this one. Well, listen, every game shifts in the momentum from one side to the other. And in this one, I thought that they managed those flows better. You know, when they had their lows, they were able to get out of it and create some momentum. Hope everyone had as much fun as we did here tonight. For all of us at EA Sports, I’m James Sabolski saying peace.

🔥 NHL LIVE 2025-26! Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres | Full Game Live | October 20, 2025

The battle is on in the East!
The Montreal Canadiens face the Buffalo Sabres in a must-watch NHL 2025-26 Regular Season showdown.
Expect explosive offense, physical defense, and passionate hockey from two teams fighting to climb the standings.

🏒 Game Info:
📅 Date: October 22, 2025
🕖 Time: 7:30 AM (ET)
📍 Arena: KeyBank Center

⚠️ Disclaimer: This is a live gameplay broadcast made for entertainment and fan enjoyment.

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