The Buffalo Sabres kept their playoff run alive with an 8-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series on Friday, forcing a deciding Game 7.
The game turned on an early goaltending change. Starter Alex Lyon was pulled after stopping only one of the four shots he faced, leaving the Sabres in a significant early hole. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen came on in relief and stopped 18 of the remaining shots he faced as Buffalo's offense took over.
According to ESPN, the Sabres roared back to defeat the Canadiens by five goals after the shaky start, turning what could have been a series-ending loss into a commanding win. The series will now go to a Game 7, with Buffalo keeping their Eastern Conference semifinal hopes alive for at least one more game.