Canadiens Beat Sabres 6-3 in Game 5, Moving Within 1 Win of East Final

12 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 15

Montreal erased a 3-1 first-period deficit in Buffalo, scoring three times in the second period and taking a 3-2 series lead with a chance to clinch at home in Game 6.
Jakub Dobeš settled after allowing 3 goals on Buffalo’s first 4 shots, then stopped the next 32; his breakaway save on Tage Thompson at 3-2 was the key momentum swing.
The Canadiens’ special teams flipped after Game 4’s struggles, going 2-for-2 on the power play, while Nick Suzuki had a goal and 2 assists and Juraj Slafkovský added 3 assists.
Buffalo pulled Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen after 5 goals on 23 shots and again got little from its top line, with Thompson’s late second-period cross-check helping set up Suzuki’s power-play goal.
Montreal is now 5-0 in these playoffs immediately after a loss and 5-2 on the road, while Buffalo fell to 2-4 at home this postseason despite a 26-10-5 regular-season home record.

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