3-Goal Third Period Carries Buffalo Sabres Past Montreal

It wasn't a thing of beauty, but the Buffalo Sabres did what they had to do to beat the reeling Montreal Canadiens Wednesday night in the Sabres' first game following the All-Star break.  Trailing 2-1 in the third period Jamie McGinn's power play goal tied the game and Johan Larsson's tip in on a shot by Jake McCabe put the Sabres into the lead.  Sabres captain Brian Gionta clinched it when he scored into an empty net with seconds to play.

The Sabres got on the board first when Marcus Foligno scored on Buffalo's first shot on goal in the first period.  Montreal took charge in the second period with a power play goal to tie it and then when in front 2-1 entering the third period.  It was all Buffalo in the third.

Robin Lehner won his second straight game stopping 33 of 35 Montreal shots.  It's the Sabres' fifth win in the last seven road games, but now they return to First Niagara Center, their house of horrors, where they have the worst home record in the league.  The Sabres have lost seven of their last eight games on home ice.  They try to improve on that when they host the Boston Bruins Thursday night.