What started as a celebration contained in the Bell Centre led to disbelief Saturday night time.
The Montreal Canadiens watched a two-goal first-period lead disappear because the Buffalo Sabres erupted for seven unanswered objectives in an 8-3 victory to pressure a decisive Sport 7 of their second-round playoff collection.
Buffalo’s comeback silenced a crowd that had spent hours turning downtown Montreal right into a sea of purple, white and blue in anticipation of a possible series-clinching night time.
As an alternative, the collection will return to Buffalo tied 3-3, with Sport 7 scheduled for Monday night time at KeyBank Middle. The winner will advance to face the Carolina Hurricanes within the Jap Convention Remaining.
Dahlin, Thompson energy Buffalo comeback
Rasmus Dahlin led Buffalo’s offensive surge with a objective and 4 assists, whereas Tage Thompson recorded a objective and three assists. Jack Quinn scored twice and added an help because the Sabres overwhelmed Montreal after falling behind early.
Zach Benson and Jason Zucker every completed with a objective and an help, whereas Konsta Helenius and Zach Metsa additionally scored.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen performed a pivotal function within the comeback after changing Alex Lyon halfway by way of the opening interval. Lyon surrendered three objectives on 4 photographs earlier than being pulled, whereas Luukkonen stopped all 17 photographs he confronted in aid.
On the different finish, Jakub Dobeš allowed six objectives on 33 photographs earlier than being changed by Jacob Fowler with simply over 10 minutes remaining in regulation. Fowler stopped one of many two photographs he confronted in his NHL playoff debut.
Bell Centre erupts early
The environment outdoors the Bell Centre had been constructing all through the day.
1000’s of Canadiens supporters flooded the streets surrounding the sector hours earlier than puck drop, waving flags and chanting “Olé, Olé, Olé” as Montreal ready for its greatest house playoff recreation in years. Police urged followers earlier within the day to not use pyrotechnics amid issues over giant crowds gathering downtown.
Inside the sector, Canadiens legend Larry Robinson raised the ceremonial torch earlier than the primary Saturday night time playoff recreation earlier than a full Bell Centre crowd since 2015.
Buffalo quieted the constructing rapidly.
Dahlin opened the scoring simply 32 seconds into the sport after capitalizing on a turnover by Juraj Slafkovský earlier than beating Dobeš on the backhand.
The Canadiens responded instantly.
Arber Xhekaj tied the sport moments later along with his first objective in 49 video games and first profession NHL playoff objective after Jake Evans received a clear faceoff within the Buffalo zone.
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WE’RE TIED ???? pic.twitter.com/85pW0ulJJF
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 17, 2026
Ivan Demidov then gave Montreal a 2-1 lead on the facility play with a one-timer previous Lyon earlier than Evans added a short-handed objective minutes later to push the Canadiens forward 3-1.
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HABS LEAD IN GAME 6! pic.twitter.com/wNa6QtfKRH
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 17, 2026
JAKE EVANS SCORES A SHORTY AND MONTREAL IS AN ELECTRIC FACTORY RIGHT NOW ???????????? pic.twitter.com/fCTmfNZdTr
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 17, 2026
The Bell Centre roared as Lyon was pulled after permitting three objectives on 4 photographs.
Sabres take over after first interval
Buffalo started shifting momentum late within the opening body when Jason Zucker redirected a Josh Norris cross on the facility play to chop Montreal’s result in 3-2.
The Sabres by no means regarded again.
Simply over a minute into the second interval, Bowen Byram’s level shot slipped by way of Dobeš earlier than Zach Benson buried the free puck to tie the sport.
Quinn gave Buffalo its first lead because the opening minute halfway by way of the second on one other energy play alternative earlier than Helenius completed a two-on-one rush solely minutes later to make it 5-3.
Montreal struggled to get well as Buffalo’s velocity and puck motion started controlling play by way of the impartial zone and on particular groups.
Quinn added his second objective of the sport early within the third interval on Buffalo’s fourth energy play marker of the night time, ending Dobeš’ night.
Thompson later added an empty-net objective from inside Buffalo’s zone after Montreal pulled Fowler for an additional attacker earlier than Metsa capped the scoring late in regulation.
Followers depart disillusioned however hopeful
As followers poured out of the Bell Centre following the loss, frustration blended with optimism forward of Sport 7.
“We began with a very good 3-1 lead, however now it’s simply disappointing,” one fan mentioned outdoors the sector. “We want for the most effective for Sport 7.”
Others remained assured Montreal would reply on the street.
“We’re successful it. We’re going to destroy them in Sport 7,” one other supporter mentioned.
One other fan predicted a bounce-back efficiency from the Canadiens’ younger stars.
“I’m fairly positive that in Sport 7, we’re going to win one thing round like 4-2,” he mentioned. “I’m assured in my Canadiens and Lane Hutson. I don’t care. We’re going to the ultimate this yr.”
One fan leaving the Bell Centre mentioned she nonetheless believes Montreal can attain the Stanley Cup Remaining.
“I nonetheless have hope for the crew,” she mentioned. “I feel we are able to do it. I feel we’re going to make it to the finals.”
One other supporter referred to as the defeat painful however removed from season-ending.
“It’s a tricky loss, however the collection isn’t over,” he mentioned. “We obtained it subsequent recreation…Montreal in 7.”
One fan who travelled from Atlanta for the sport mentioned the environment nonetheless made the journey worthwhile regardless of the consequence.
“I’m just a little unhappy, really,” he mentioned. “It was amazingly thrilling hockey, however it didn’t work out. So we have to get good in Buffalo.”
With the season on the road, Monday’s Sport 7 is ready for 7:30 p.m.
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