"We were right here," said forward Michael Frolik, who assisted on Lazar's goal. "We were in a great spot after two periods and we just said in the room, 'Let's go get it.'"
The Sabres had plenty of chances to take the lead. Kyle Okposo, after earlier setting up Girgensons' goal, had a chance alone in front that went high over the net. Jack Eichel had a deflection swallowed by Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francouz.
The chances continued to come even after J.T. Compher scored to put the Avalanche ahead, 3-2, with 8:06 remaining. The Sabres killed a late hooking penalty against Brandon Montour, pulled goalie Carter Hutton with 1:30 remaining and went on one last offensive.
Victor Olofsson came closest to tying the game. He took a one-time shot from point-blank range that hit the inside of the post, bounced off the back of Francouz and drifted through the crease, it's path going just wide of the net. He had another one-time attempt stopped by the goaltender's pad.
"Both teams are playing for something," Lazar said. "We're fighting for our lives there. It's a playoff atmosphere, a playoff game. Every little battle matters, and we're learning that. We had some good pushback throughout the game, unfortunately we just couldn't get the last one."
The game was a clear improvement over Buffalo's last meeting with Colorado, a 6-1 Avalanche win in KeyBank Center on Feb. 4. The Avalanche put their speed and transition game on full display that night, areas the Sabres felt they were better able to suppress in the rematch.