Konsta Helenius makes NHL playoff debut in Sabres’ 3-2 win

Konsta Helenius made his NHL playoff debut Wednesday night as Buffalo beat Montreal 3-2 and pulled the quarterfinal series level at 2-2. The 20-year-old Finnish forward did not get a point, but his first playoff game came in a result Buffalo needed badly.

Helenius logged 12.53 minutes and was among the Sabres' best players by advanced numbers. He had already played 10 NHL games before this, but this was his first time in the playoff pressure that comes with a tight series.

Helenius and Xhekaj in front

Arber Xhekaj hit Helenius with a cross-check to the head near the goal crease, knocking him down. No penalty was called on the play, and the video spread on social media as fans, teammates and Lindy Ruff praised Helenius after the game.

The hit gave the game its sharpest edge. Montreal's physical response came against a player who entered the night at 109 kilograms and 2.14, and the reaction around Helenius was strong enough to pull attention even after Buffalo had already found a way to tie the score.

Dahlin shifts the game

Rasmus Dahlin also drew attention in the same game when commentator Sean McDonough said he had reopened an old lip wound in hopes of getting two more minutes of power play time. Officials gave Montreal's Alexandre Carrier a 2+2 minute penalty, and Buffalo scored to tie the game while Carrier was in the box.

That sequence mattered because it turned a tense playoff night into a 3-2 win and left the series tied again. Buffalo now carries that result into Friday night in Buffalo, with Helenius already having his first NHL playoff game on the board.