5 takeaways from the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 win over the Canadiens in Game 4

The Buffalo Sabres entered Game 4 with huge questions after losing their last two games by a combined total of 11-3. It felt like the series might be slipping away from them, and they desperately needed a win on the road to keep their chances alive and avoid falling down 3-1 to the Canadiens.

It was a close back-and-forth game, but the Sabres ultimately would come away with the win by a final score of 3-2. Similar to Game 3, the Sabres would score first to take the early lead as Mattias Samuelsson would beat Jakub Dobes off a great pass by Josh Norris.

However, the Canadiens would respond with two goals before the end of the first period and took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission. It felt like the game was going the same way Game 3 went for Buffalo, but the Sabres were able to regroup and scored one goal in the second and one in the third to secure the win.

These are five takeaways from the Sabres big Game 4 win to tie the series at two games apiece.

Jack Quinn can't buy a goal in the playoffs

Jack Quinn has had some great chances in these playoffs, but is still looking for his first career playoff goal. In Game 4, it seemed like he might finally get it after a lengthy review before it was taken away with a secondary review.

In the first period, the Sabres had a 1-0 lead, and Konsta Helenius drove the net to try to jam the puck past Jakub Dobes. Quinn was right behind him and took a shot off the rebound that Dobes would catch with his glove.

However, the league office requested a review as it looked like Dobes caught the puck across the line. That review would confirm that to be the case, and the Sabres thought they had a 2-0 lead, and Jack Quinn had his first playoff goal.

Unfortunately, the Canadiens would challenge after it was confirmed as a goal for goalie interference. After another review, the goal would be waived off, and the Canadiens would win the challenge for interference.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen settles down in the second period

While Lindy Ruff made it clear that Alex Lyon was not to blame for the last two games, he felt it was still time to make a change and go to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in Game 4. Luukkonen was making his first start since April 21st, when he was pulled in the third period of Game 2 against the Boston Bruins.

In the first period, the Canadiens would score two goals on eight shots, and the Sabres' goalie looked shaky. However, it seemed it might be more rust than anything, because after that first period, Luukkonen was locked in and shut down the Canadiens, stopping the final 22 shots he faced.

It was certainly a risk for Ruff to go to Luukkonen in a must-win game after the last time he was on the ice was a rough outing. Luukkonen delivered and was a big reason for the Sabres to tie up the series.

Buffalo Sabres with two power play goals and one that fans rarely see

The Buffalo Sabres' power play has been a point of concern due to its ineffectiveness since the beginning of April. Before Game 3, the Sabres decided to change some things up, and it resulted in a power play goal.

The Sabres stuck with these units for Game 4, and it resulted in two more power play goals, but one was probably the flukiest goal fans will ever see. In the second period, the Sabres were trying to enter the zone, and Tage Thompson had the puck.

He would look to dump into the Canadiens' zone and sent the puck into the corner. However, the Sabres didn't need to chase as it would hit off the corner, bounce towards the net and off Dobes for the goal.

Even though the first power play was lucky, the second power play showed exactly why the coaching staff put together the units they did. The play was due in large part to Josh Doan's ability to hold onto the puck, and he found Zach Benson right in front of the net, where he was able to kick the puck with his skate to control it and then took a backhand shot to beat Dobes.

Buffalo Sabres their own worst enemies with too many penalties

In addition to the power play, the Sabres' penalty kill delivered an excellent performance in Game 4 as they allowed only one power play goal on seven chances for the Canadiens. However, the Sabres can't expect to take that many penalties and win consistently in the playoffs.

Now there will be some criticism of some of the calls made by the refs, but the Sabres also took too many silly penalties. They need to be more disciplined, knowing that this is the game the refs were calling.

A perfect example was in the first period when Tage Thompson would be called for a cross-check after the puck was already out of play and in the netting above the glass with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen making the save. At that point, the game was tied at one goal apiece late in the first period, and the Canadiens would convert the power play into a goal to take a 2-1 lead.

Those types of moments can swing momentum significantly, and fortunately, the Sabres were able to regroup. However, it is something they need to clean up as this series continues along.

Buffalo Sabres finally win the faceoff battle

One of the big trends in this series has been the Canadiens dominating the faceoff circle against the Buffalo Sabres. It hasn't even been really close as the Sabres have been below 40% in two of the first three games in this series.

In Game 4, the Sabres were much more competitive in the faceoff circle and actually had the advantage at 54%. It was due in large part to Josh Norris and Ryan McLeod, who would combine to win 16 of the 26 faceoffs they had in this game.

While the series is not over, the Sabres desperately needed this win to ensure they didn't fall too far behind. The series is now tied at two and heading back to Buffalo for Game 5 on Thursday night.

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