The decisive moment
Montreal grinded out a 3-2 road win over Buffalo, separating themselves by a single goal in a tightly contested playoff battle. With both teams trading punches, the Canadiens' ability to hold the lead late proved to be the difference in a game that lived on every shift.
By the numbers
- Final score: Montreal 3, Buffalo 2
- Margin of victory: 1 goal
- Game site: Buffalo (KeyBank Center)
- Series stage: Eastern Conference Second Round
- Status: Final
The narrow margin underscored the parity that has defined this second-round matchup, where neither side has been able to pull away for more than a period at a time.
What it means
The win keeps Montreal alive and shifts the pressure squarely onto Buffalo, who must now defend home ice with everything on the line. For the Sabres, the loss compounds an already thin lineup, with Noah Ostlund sidelined with a lower-body injury, Jiri Kulich on injured reserve with an ear issue, and Justin Danforth out with a lower-body ailment. Montreal, meanwhile, has shown the structural discipline and goaltending poise that travels well into hostile playoff environments.
What to watch next
Attention now turns to Game 7 in Buffalo, a winner-take-all clash for a spot Final. Expect a tight-checking, special-teams-driven affair, with goaltending and Buffalo's depth — already stretched by injuries — likely to decide who advances.