Suzuki, Evans cap 2nd-period surge,
Canadiens beat Sabres 6-3 to take 3-2 lead in 2nd-round series
[May 15, 2026]
By JOHN WAWROW
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Captain Nick Suzuki and the Canadiens' top line
brought the offense, goalie Jakub Dobes shook off a rough start, and
Montreal is one win from advancing to the Eastern Conference finals.
Suzuki and Jake Evans capped a three-goal second period surge by
scoring 68 seconds apart in a 6-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres on
Thursday night, giving the Canadiens a 3-2 lead in their
second-round playoff 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 pass from the end boards
and beating Luukkonen through the legs with a shot from the lower
right circle.
“The power-play goal was huge, felt like it gave us a little bit of
breathing room,” Suzuki said. “Just kept trying to put the foot on
the gas a little bit, too.”
Demidov, Cole Caufield, Josh Anderson and Alexandre Texier also
scored for Montreal, which will host Game 6 on Saturday night.
Dobes allowed three goals on the first four shots he faced before
stopping the final 32. The rookie goalie was pleased with coach
Martin St. Louis' decision to keep him in the game, especially after
Dobes acknowledged he sagged after rookie Konsta Helenius beat him
through the legs to put Buffalo up 3-2.
“I told him thank you for leaving me and trying to prove myself,”
Dobes said. “I’m really proud of myself too for not giving up and
keep making saves.”
Josh Doan and Jason Zucker also scored for the Atlantic Division
champions, who are facing elimination for the first time this
postseason.
Luukkonen allowed five goals on 23 shots, and was pulled after two
periods -- the second time he’s been yanked this postseason. Alex
Lyon mopped up, allowing a goal on three shots. Lyon is potentially
in line to regain the starting duties after losing the job following
a 6-2 loss in Game 3.
[to top of second column] |
Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki lines up for a face-off during
the second period in Game 5 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup
playoff series against the Buffalo Sabres, Thursday, May 14, 2026,
in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
“It’s not good enough. Not good enough,” Sabres forward Alex Tuch
said. “I thought we had a pretty good start actually, too. We should
have locked it down better and played better defensively. It’s
frustrating.”
The Sabres have dropped two of three at home in the series, and are
2-4 overall in the playoffs. On the bright side, they’re 4-1 on the
road, including a 3-2 win at Montreal on Tuesday.
Montreal finally got much-needed production from its top line, with
Suzuki (goal, two assists), Slafkovsky (three assists) and Caufield
getting on the scoresheet. The trio had combined for four goals and
five assists in the first four games of the series.
Most encouraging was Caufield’s goal being the line’s first in a
five-on-five situation in the series.
“Very good for the confidence,” said Slafkovsky. “We stuck with it,
and it’s good for confidence. But it doesn’t matter. In two days, we
got to do it again and play our best game of the season.”
Montreal is one win from advancing to the semifinal round of the
playoffs for the first time since the Covid pandemic altered 2021
playoffs. The Canadiens eventually reached the Stanley Cup Final and
lost to Tampa Bay in five games.
Buffalo and Montreal combined for five goals in the first 10:15,
including Doan and Texier scoring nine seconds apart.
The five goals were scored in a span of 8:15, which ranks 11th on
the playoff list of fastest between two teams.
Buffalo’s deficiencies continue being exposed. After allowing 12
goals in six games of their first-round series against Boston, the
Sabres have allowed 21 already to Montreal — and 19 in the past
four.
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