The Montreal Canadiens took control of their first-round series against the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday night, skating to a decisive 6-2 victory at the Bell Centre. The win gives Montreal a 2-1 series lead in this 2025-26 season NHL Playoffs matchup. After splitting the opening two games in Buffalo, the Canadiens used their home-ice advantage to pull ahead in the best-of-seven set.
Buffalo entered the contest looking to regain the momentum they established early in the series, but they found themselves unable to match Montreal's scoring pace. The Sabres' lineup was notably thinner on Sunday, as they were forced to compete without forward Noah Ostlund. Ostlund remains sidelined with a lower-body injury, a loss that hampered Buffalo's depth during critical stretches of the game.
The decisive moment
The Canadiens broke the game open with a relentless second-period performance that left the Sabres scrambling in their own zone. Montreal's ability to capitalize on turnovers in the neutral zone allowed them to establish a multi-goal cushion that Buffalo could not recover from. By the time the third period began, the momentum had shifted entirely in favor of the home team, as they effectively shut down any hope of a Sabres comeback.
By the numbers
- Final Score: Montreal Canadiens 6, Buffalo Sabres 2
- Series Standing: Montreal leads 2-1
- Win Margin: 4 goals
- Injuries: Noah Ostlund (Buffalo) - Out (lower body)
- Home Record: Montreal secures first home win of the 2025-26 postseason
The 6-2 final reflects a significant offensive surge for Montreal, marking their second consecutive game scoring five or more goals. The Sabres have now surrendered 11 goals over the last two games of the series.
What it means
With this victory, Montreal has successfully reclaimed the momentum in the series after a lopsided Game 2 win. Leading 2-1, the Canadiens now have the opportunity to put the Sabres on the brink of elimination with another win on home ice. This result puts the Buffalo Sabres in a difficult position as they attempt to navigate the remainder of the 2025-26 season NHL Playoffs. Falling behind in a best-of-seven series often serves as a wake-up call, and Buffalo will need to find immediate answers for Montreal's high-octane offense.
What to watch next
Both teams will remain in Montreal for Game 4, where Buffalo will look to even the series before heading back to Western New York. The status of Noah Ostlund remains a critical storyline for the Sabres as they search for ways to ignite their offense and tighten their defensive rotations. Montreal will aim to maintain their aggressive forecheck and physical play to move within one win of advancing.