It comes down to one game for the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens as the winner goes on to play the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals and the loser begins preparing for next season. The Sabres were able to get to a Game 7 after scoring seven straight to come back from a 3-1 deficit and win 8-3.
Now they are playing in front of their fans on their home ice, but it hasn't been the advantage many would expect, as the Sabres have now lost four straight at KeyBank Center, dating back to Game 5 against the Boston Bruins. If they hope to end that losing streak, these are three players who need to step up in Game 7.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
While nothing has been made official at this point, it is safe to assume that Ukko-Pekka Luukonen will get the start in Game 7. The Sabres have gone back and forth between him and Lyon the past few games, and not necessarily by design.
Neither goalie has really been able to stack back-to-back solid performances since Alex Lyon in Game 6 of the Bruins series and Game 1 of this series against the Canadiens.
The last game was no different as Lyon would get the start but last less than 10 minutes after allowing three goals on four shots. He would be replaced by Luukkonen, and the Sabres' goalie would not allow a goal the rest of the game on 18 shots.
In these types of games, it is easy for goalies to take them over and steal games for their team. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is certainly capable of those types of performances, and the Sabres are going to need that in Game 7.
Alex Tuch
The Sabres had 11 players with at least one point in Game 6, but unfortunately, Alex Tuch was not one of them. The Sabres forward is still searching for his first points in this series after having seven in six games against the Bruins.
While Tuch didn't have any points in Game 6, it was easily his best performance of the series. He had some excellent chances, including a breakaway as soon as he exited the penalty box. Unfortunately, Jakub Dobes made an incredible save and stopped Tuch's shot attempt.
It feels like Tuch is right on the cusp of finally breaking through, and there would be no better time for that to happen than in Game 7.
Zach Benson
Win or lose, one player who has seemingly been consistently good each game of this series has been Zach Benson. The former first-round pick has been a driving force on this team, whether that is 5v5 or on the power play, with his hustle and willingness to do the dirty work.
Through six games of this series, he has had six points with a goal and an assist in Game 6. The goal in particular came at the perfect moment as Benson was in the right spot at the right time to collect a rebound and sneak it behind Jakub Dobes for the goal to tie the game at three.
It has been a breakout in these playoffs for Zach Benson, and hopefully, he can continue that run going into the next series against the Carolina Hurricanes by helping them secure a win in Game 7.
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