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Kyle Okposo’s 600th career point not enough to catapult Buffalo Sabres

By Sion Fawkes

Dec 9, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Kyle Okposo (21) takes a shot on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Cayden Primeau (30) during the first period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Kyle Okposo (21) takes a shot on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Cayden Primeau (30) during the first period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Buffalo Sabres stormed back from a 2-0 deficit vs. the Montreal Canadiens with Kyle Okposo scoring the game-tying goal.

The Buffalo Sabres loss to the Montreal Canadiens had the feel of a playoff atmosphere, with fast-paced hockey, chippy play, and an instant-classic goaltenders’ duel between two Northeastern alums. Unfortunately, it didn’t end in the Sabres favor, and they will only skate away with a point.

Down 2-0 in the third period, Jeff Skinner got the Sabres on the board just 76 seconds into the frame, scoring a quick one off of a helper from Tage Thompson. But Kyle Okposo’s goal exactly five minutes later was a memorable one, both because it was an epic game-tying score and the fact it was also the 35-year-old’s 600th point.

The goal wouldn’t have happened without Connor Clifton, who took away the puck at the left wing circle in the Sabres offensive zone. Clifton managed to immediately shoot the puck in the slot before falling to the ice. It rebounded off of goaltender Cayden Primeau, but Okposo skated up the slot, found the puck, and did the rest.

Buffalo Sabres fall to the Canadiens despite clawing back from another deficit

Buffalo held the momentum for the final 13 and a half minutes of the contest, and even had a power play to open the overtime period, but it wasn’t meant to be on this night. The extra frame ended in a deadlock, and the two teams went to a shootout, which the Sabres lost 3-2.

Overall, it was great to see a fast-paced hockey game with an almost playoff-like atmosphere, along with another strong game from goaltender Devon Levi. The Buffalo Sabres made it interesting as they came back from and generated several chances to complete it.

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The bad news? Once again, the Blue and Gold were denied yet another simple two-game winning streak. But if there is anything positive to take away from this week’s slate of games, it’s that we now know the Sabres have twice been blanked throughout the first two frames, only to make things interesting.

(Statistics provided by NHL.com)

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