Goalie change, offensive outburst keep Buffalo Sabres alive - ESPN

Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said his players finally got going at the most crucial time, avoiding elimination against the Montreal Canadiens with an emphatic seven-goal rally for an 8-3 win in Game 6 on Saturday night.

Game 7 is set for Monday night in Buffalo. The winner advances to the Eastern Conference finals to face the Carolina Hurricanes, who last played May 9 when they completed a sweep over Philadelphia.

Ruff saw «indecision» from his team in its losses against Montreal. «There was slowness in our game. I told the team I'd rather they made a mistake 'going' than 'not going,'» he said. «So, we just used this expression this morning: 'J.F.G.' And you can figure out what that is.»

What got the Sabers going was an unwavering confidence that they could come back, strong performances from their star players and a bold goaltending change in the first period.

«I felt like the bench was alive the whole game. We believed from the beginning,» Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin said. «Then, Ukko came in and gave us a boost.»

Goaltender Alex Lyon started in Game 6 after replacing Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in Game 5. But Lyon gave up three goals on the only four shots he faced. Luukkonen replaced Lyon just 10:14 into the game, with the Sabres trailing 3-1. He saved all 17 shots he faced to force a Game 7.

«He gave us a great effort,» Ruff said. «In a game like this, it just felt like Al wasn't seeing it. Turned to UPL to see if he can help us out, and he did. He made four or five really good saves and kept them off the board.»

While Luukkonen gave the Sabres the goaltending they needed, Buffalo's star players also located their swagger at the right time.

Dahlin had a goal and four assists in the victory. The captain tied the