Canadiens score three goals in the third to beat Sabres 4-2

Buffalo Sabres' Tage Thompson (72) is checked into the boards by Montreal Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovský (20) during second period NHL hockey action in Montreal on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Lane Hutson’s first goal of the season, scored at 11:38 of the third period, proved to be the winner as the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 at the Bell Centre on Tuesday.

Oliver Kapanen opened the scoring for Montreal (5-2-0) with his fourth goal of the season after a rush from Ivan Demidov. Kapanen leads all NHL rookies in goals, while Demidov is tied for the rookie points lead.

Juraj Slafkovsky and Jake Evans also scored for Montreal, while Alex Newhook and Nick Suzuki each had two assists. Jakub Dobes made 29 saves for the Canadiens, including 13 in the third period.

Jiri Kulich and Tyler Kozak scored for the Sabres (2-4-0), who lost for the first time in three games. The Sabres pulled their goaltender with over two minutes remaining. Alex Lyon made 27 saves.

Both teams went 0-1 on the power play.

TAKEAWAYS

Sabres: Zach Benson assisted on Kulich’s goal and now has six assists in three games after an injury kept him out to start the season.

Canadiens: With Kapanen and Demidov combining on the first goal of the game, the Canadiens lead all NHL teams with nine points from rookies this season.

KEY MOMENT

After Montreal’s first power play of the game, Dobes made two big saves on Tage Thompson and Benson. Less than a minute later, Hutson scored the eventual winner to make it 3-1.

KEY STAT

With his goal, Hutson has nine points in five career games against the Sabres.

UP NEXT

Sabres: Host the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday.

Canadiens: Visit the Calgary Flames on Wednesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2025.