Thompson, Sabres cash in after fluke bank shot
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- Tage Thompson scored a bizarre power‑play goal after the puck bounced off the glass and struck Montreal goalie Jakub Dobes’ pad, tying the game at 2‑2 in the second period.
- Buffalo Sabres held on to win Game 4 3‑2, tying the playoff series at 2‑2 after the victory at the Bell Centre.
- Zach Benson scored the game‑winning goal in the third period, celebrating his 21st birthday with the decisive tally.
- Lindy Ruff disagreed with the NHL’s decision to disallow Buffalo’s earlier goal, saying the contact was initiated by the Canadiens’ goalie.
- Martin St. Louis said the fluke goal was a fine line that could have changed the outcome, but admitted he was unsure of its exact impact.
Why it matters: The Sabres gain a crucial series‑tying win, preserving their playoff hopes, while the Canadiens lose home‑ice advantage and momentum, forcing them to regroup before Game 5.
