What happened: Tage Thompson put Buffalo ahead less than a minute into Game 3 against Montreal, giving the Sabres an immediate 1-0 edge on the road. The goal came as the Eastern Conference second-round series shifted to Bell Centre with the matchup tied 1-1.

Why it matters: Game 3 carries outsized weight in a tied playoff series, with CBS Sports noting teams that take a 2-1 lead go on to win the series 68.9% of the time. The quick strike also flipped the script from Game 2, when Montreal jumped on Buffalo early and rolled to a 5-1 win.

What to watch: Watch whether Buffalo can build on the fast start after Montreal controlled most of Game 2. The next swing point is whether the Canadiens answer quickly at home or let the Sabres dictate pace in a series now deep into its first pivotal road game.