According to the report, Tage Thompson converted a freakish bounce off the boards into a tying goal during a second-period power play that energized the Buffalo Sabres in a 3-2 Game 4 victory, evening the playoff series at 2-2 in Montreal. The puck caromed off a corner of the glass near the Zamboni entrance and struck the top of Montreal goalie Jakub Dobes’ right pad before crossing the line.
The report says Thompson had simply attempted to rim the puck around the boards from center ice to establish zone pressure when the unusual ricochet occurred. Thompson noted he saw the puck hit the glass and briefly scanned for teammates in celebration after it found the net, per the report.
Momentum had initially swung to Montreal after a controversial review in the first period. The NHL Situation Room ruled that Jack Quinn’s apparent goal was wiped out following a coach’s challenge that concluded Buffalo’s Konsta Helenius had interfered with Dobes, a decision Sabres coach Lindy Ruff publicly disputed, the report says. The Canadiens capitalized on the momentum, with Alex Newhook and Cole Caufield scoring to give Montreal a 2-1 lead late in the first.
Per the report, Thompson also helped set up Buffalo’s eventual winner in the third. With Jake Evans in the penalty box, Thompson drew two defenders and slipped a pass to Josh Doan, who fed Zach Benson for a power-play goal that gave the Sabres the lead. The report notes Benson celebrated his 21st birthday with the go-ahead goal and called Thompson’s tying play earlier a vital swing for the team.
The report credits goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen with making 28 saves to preserve the win after Alex Lyon had allowed nine goals in his previous two appearances against Montreal. Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis was quoted as saying the difference in the game was a fine line and questioned whether the odd bounce off the stanchion was decisive, per the report. Buffalo left the Bell Centre having split the first four games of the series.
