BUFFALO, N.Y. — On a thrilling Friday night, Conor Garland showcased his skills by netting two goals, including the decisive score just under four minutes into overtime, to propel the Vancouver Canucks to a 4-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
In addition to his pair of goals, Garland contributed an assist during the game, helping his team claim a comeback win. Both Quinn Hughes and Brock Boeser were instrumental in the victory, each recording two assists; notably, it was Boeser’s feed that allowed Garland to find the net on a power play early in the third period.
Pius Suter made his mark as well, scoring in the third period and assisting on Jake DeBrusk’s equalizer that came late in the second period. Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen anchored the team, making 31 saves throughout the match.
The Sabres demonstrated resilience as Dylan Cozens and Alex Tuch found the back of the net within a rapid 1:39 time frame late in the third, overturning a 3-1 deficit. Bowen Byram also contributed a goal to the Sabres’ efforts, while goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen managed 18 saves to keep his team in contention.
Vancouver’s top defenseman, Filip Hronek, was sidelined due to an upper-body injury sustained during the previous game against Pittsburgh, as noted by coach Rick Tocchet.
**Takeaways**
For the Canucks, this victory marks an encouraging start to their six-game road trip with a record of 3-1-0, enhancing their overall away game performance to 9-2-0 this season. On the other hand, the Sabres faced a setback with two home losses in a row after a successful three-game road stretch, yet they still managed to earn points in eight out of their last eleven games.
**Key Moment**
The game-changing moment came when Garland executed a backhand shot to score the winner, pouncing on Hughes’ rebound while in a kneeling position near the crease.
**Key Stat**
Garland is currently experiencing an impressive scoring streak, with points in his last seven games, tying him for the longest active streak in the NHL. Over this span, he has accumulated five goals and six assists throughout his appearances.
**Up Next**
The Sabres are set to face off against the New York Islanders on Saturday night as they complete back-to-back games, while the Canucks will continue their road journey with a matchup in Detroit on Sunday.