Montreal Canadiens Lead Buffalo Sabres 3-2 In Playoff Series
The Montréal Canadiens are leading the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 going into Game 6 on May 16, allowing them to clinch a series win. However, despite winning 2 games in a row, that won’t be a simple task against the Sabres. Both teams are playing at a level that fits in the Eastern Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
In the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, Montréal fell to the Washington Capitals in 5 games in Round 1. The Sabres did not qualify for the 2025 playoffs. The winner of this series will face the Carolina Hurricanes, who will have nearly a week of rest, even with a Game 6 win for the Canadiens, sweeping the first two rounds.
Canadiens Win Games 4 & 5
The series was 2-1 to Montréal coming into Game 4 on May 12, but the Sabres had a fantastic finish to their game to tie the series up. Mattias Samuellson of the Sabres, Alex Newhook, and Cole Caulfield of the Canadiens scored before Tage Thompson of the Sabres scored in the second period to tie the game.
Buffalo started Goalie Ukko-Pekka Lukkonen for the first time since April 21, and he played excellently for his team, saving 28 shots. Opposing Goalie Jakub Dobes saved 19 shots. Zach Benson’s power play goal went unanswered in the third period, and the game ended 3-2 to the Sabres. Power plays have been an important part of both teams’ games. In Game 4, Buffalo went 2-for-4, while Montréal went 1-for-7.
“We had a lot of opportunities, and if we got another power-play goal, maybe that gives them less life,” Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki said. “That’s definitely a missed opportunity.” May 14’s Game 5 was an exciting, high-scoring affair that went to Montréal. Suzuki shone with a goal and 2 assists, while Ivan Demidov, Caulfield, Josh Anderson, Jake Evans, and Alexandre Texier all scored. The Sabres had three total goals from Jason Zucker, Josh Doan, and Konsta Helenius. The final score was 6-3 despite the Sabres outshooting the Canadiens 20-3 in the third period.
Lukkonen got pulled at the beginning of the third period and was replaced by Alex Lyon. Lukkonen made 18 saves on 23 shots, and Lyon made 2 saves on 3 shots. Suzuki scored on a power play, important for him after Game 4. Dobes made 33 saves, an impressive performance, and also a bounce-back from May 12.
Post-Game 5 Reactions
The Sabres were disappointed with the loss. “They pushed harder than we did,” Buffalo Forward Alex Tuch said. “We gave them opportunities and chances, and on ours we didn’t bear down, and not the best puck play by us. And, yeah, we got outworked.”
“There’s nothing (Luukkonen) could’ve done on the first goal. There’s nothing he could’ve done on the second goal,” Buffalo Coach Lindy Ruff said. “I think the (fourth) goal that went in from a real tough angle, I think that’s one that he would want back. So, if I would’ve made a decision, would it have made a difference? Possibly. But all year, we haven’t made it about our goaltender, and we’re not gonna make it about our goaltender now.”
The Canadiens, in contrast, were happy with their game. “The power play goal was huge, felt like it gave us a little bit of breathing room,” Suzuki said. “… And we got another power play goal right after that in the third period. You go up three, and you need to close those games out, and we were able to do that just defending hard and blocking shots and just kept trying to put the foot on the gas a little bit, too.”
Game 6 Preview
Sure, the Canadiens were the better team overall in Game 5, but this series has been back-and-forth all along. The Sabres were more active in terms of shots on goal, but had a hard time breaking through the Canadiens’ defensive line. In contrast, Montréal has been able to score on fewer shots, and the Sabres are arguably weaker in the goal.
There really is all to play for on May 16, when the Canadiens will look to close the series out at home.
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