Tage Thompson's Bank Shot Bounces Off the Glass, Ricochets Off the Goalie Pad, and Ties Game 4

Sometimes the playoffs come down to luck. Buffalo's Tage Thompson fired what he thought was a routine play to get the puck into Montreal's zone during the second-period power play on Tuesday night, but what happened next was pure chaos. The puck deflected off the corner of the glass near the Zamboni entrance door, bounced directly off the top of goalie Jakub Dobes' right pad, and somehow found the net. Game tied 2-2 in the most shocking way possible.

That freaky goal was the difference. The Sabres beat the Canadiens 3-2, pulling even in their playoff series at 2 apiece and escaping Bell Centre with momentum on their side after Montreal had swung the game in their favor earlier with a controversial coach's challenge goal reversal in the first period.

Thompson Saw It Hit the Glass and Just Waited

"I obviously saw it hit the glass," Thompson said after the win. "I was kind of just scanning around, looking for a few guys to put their hands up. It's a nice feeling when you see that."

Buffalo opened the scoring when defenseman Mattias Samuelsson found the back of the net at 6:32 of the first period, putting the Sabres up early at Bell Centre. But Montreal clawed back and took the momentum before Thompson's ridiculous bounce tied it up in the second.

Benson Delivers the Real Winner on His 21st Birthday

Forward Zach Benson scored the go-ahead power-play goal in the third period to give Buffalo the lead, and he acknowledged just how critical Thompson's luck had been to the eventual victory. "You need those bounces, come playoff time. And it was a big goal for us," Benson said, celebrating his 21st birthday with the game-winner.

Montreal coach Martin St. Louis wasn't happy about it. "The difference... it's a fine line, right?" he said when asked what cost them the game. "They get a goal off the door there. The stanchion. Whatever. Is that the difference? I don't know."

The Sabres head into Game 5 with the series completely reset and momentum back in their favor. That's what one bounce can do in May.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.