'“We showed how we can win games in this series,” Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen said. “Every game, we haven’t played a good 60 minutes, yet. Even though we won some of the games, we kind of let our foot off the gas in some points of the game. It’s just trusting our own process, our own games, a full 60 minutes, like we did against Boston, that’s the biggest thing, right … [Read more...] about Sabres now take on biggest comeback effort of season after 6-3 loss to Montreal in Game 5
Archives for May 15, 2026
Mike Harrington: Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson coming up small for Sabres in season's biggest spot
'But what has been really hard to watch is the way the Sabres' best players have gone down so meekly in this round. Alex Tuch, Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin have been no match so far for Montreal's Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki and Lane Hutson.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson coming up small for Sabres in season’s biggest spot
Lance Lysowski: Sabres' team defense matters more than goalie decision for Game 6
'If the Sabres lose Saturday night in Montreal, their season is over. Do not expect Ruff to commit to a starting goalie for Game 6 before his team arrives at Bell Centre. More likely than not, Lyon will be his choice. But it will not matter who is in goal if the Sabres continue to defend poorly around both goalies and fail to convert scoring chances.' … [Read more...] about Lance Lysowski: Sabres’ team defense matters more than goalie decision for Game 6
Sabres notebook: Konsta Helenius on Stanley Cup Playoffs debut: ‘Go do the same thing’
'“It was crazy,” Helenius said of his first playoff game as an NHL rookie. “The building was loud. And the game was fast and physical, like I expected. It’s the NHL playoffs. I felt really good on the ice.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Konsta Helenius on Stanley Cup Playoffs debut: ‘Go do the same thing’
It's a bet: Opportunity for a startup on the line over Sabres/Habs playoff series
'If Buffalo wins the best-of-seven second round playoff series, which is now tied 2-2, a local startup will get the opportunity to be introduced to the Montreal business community, including one of the region’s leading employers. If Montreal comes out on top, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership will make similar introductions with an anchor employer in Western New York for a chosen … [Read more...] about It’s a bet: Opportunity for a startup on the line over Sabres/Habs playoff series
Sabres are paying for home ice struggles and now face elimination
'The Sabres have never won a series that they’ve trailed 3-2, so that’s part of the history they’ll be trying to buck Saturday, and then possibly in Game 7 Monday.' … [Read more...] about Sabres are paying for home ice struggles and now face elimination
Sabres blow leads in loss to Canadiens, on brink of elimination; Owen Power briefly leaves game injured
'With a chance to go up 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, the Sabres blew three leads before the game hit the halfway mark in KeyBank Center. One lasted nine seconds. … [Read more...] about Sabres blow leads in loss to Canadiens, on brink of elimination; Owen Power briefly leaves game injured
After trade, long stretch sitting out as scratch, Luke Schenn adds to Sabres’ playoff run: ‘Just steady Eddie’
'Eighteen seasons and some 1,100 games later, Schenn serves as a valuable veteran depth piece, giving the Sabres a right-shot defender capable of killing penalties and adding some muscle.' … [Read more...] about After trade, long stretch sitting out as scratch, Luke Schenn adds to Sabres’ playoff run: ‘Just steady Eddie’
Sabres falter in Game 5, face elimination Saturday in Montreal
'Luukkonen was far from the lone culprit for Buffalo in the loss, with the top line of Peyton Krebs, Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch continuing to be largely invisible for the Sabres. In the series, the three have combined for two goals and two assists, all by Thompson, and a plus/minus of minus-22.' … [Read more...] about Sabres falter in Game 5, face elimination Saturday in Montreal
Canadiens spank Sabres in Game 5, a win away from conference final
'The Canadiens had a field day on Thursday night at the KeyBank Center, making short work of Buffalo Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen on the way to a 6-3 victory in Game 5 of the second round.' … [Read more...] about Canadiens spank Sabres in Game 5, a win away from conference final
Canadiens beat Sabres 6-3 as Buffalo unravels in Game 5
'This is an honest-to-God hockey town. So it’s a little sad to see Buffalo lose this series.' … [Read more...] about Canadiens beat Sabres 6-3 as Buffalo unravels in Game 5
Friday's Montreal Coverage
Cowan: Coach Martin St. Louis's faith in Jakub Dobes pays off in Game 5 win (Montreal Gazette) About Last Night: Ivan Demidov the latest Hab to don cape of playoff hero (Montreal Gazette) Hidden Game: Following shaky start, Canadiens — and Jakub Dobes — recover to outscore Sabres (Montreal Gazette) Photo gallery (Montreal Gazette) The Canadiens are one win away from the … [Read more...] about Friday’s Montreal Coverage
Canadiens goaltending steadies, Buffalo's falters as Montreal wins Game 5
'If the Sabres don't get better goaltending there, especially with Montreal's top players starting to connect, the Canadiens will head to the Eastern Conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes.' … [Read more...] about Canadiens goaltending steadies, Buffalo’s falters as Montreal wins Game 5
Suzuki, Evans cap 2nd-period surge, Canadiens beat Sabres 6-3 to take 3-2 lead in 2nd-round series
'Montreal didn’t lead until Evans swept a loose puck over the goal line behind Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to put the Canadiens up 4-3 with 3:45 remaining in the second period. Ivan Demidov set up the goal when his shot glanced off Luukkonen’s glove and then dribbled behind him. Suzuki then scored 10 seconds into a power-play opportunity by converting Juraj Slafkovsky’s one-handed … [Read more...] about Suzuki, Evans cap 2nd-period surge, Canadiens beat Sabres 6-3 to take 3-2 lead in 2nd-round series
Sabres' goaltending issues resurface in Game 5 loss to Canadiens
'Buffalo's failings don't fall entirely on its netminders, but there's no question they -- along with everyone else -- have to improve if the Sabres expect to drag Montreal back to town for an eventual Game 7.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ goaltending issues resurface in Game 5 loss to Canadiens