Toto … we’re not in Kansas anymore.
Give the Canadiens full credit for staging an upset in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs against Tampa Bay. But the Buffalo Sabres are not the Lightning. And KeyBank Center is not Benchmark International Arena. This is Upstate New York. Not western Florida.
It’s only one game, and one game does not make a series. Until a team loses at home, it’s not in any danger. But for everyone who was going euphoric over the Canadiens’ first-round playoff victory — most everyone in Montreal, last time we looked — let’s not forget that it took seven hard-fought games.
And following Wednesday night’s 4-2 defeat against Buffalo in the opener of this second-round series, the Canadiens are a mediocre and pedestrian 4-4 team. And a .500 record during the regular season wouldn’t have qualified for the playoffs, where the intensity is magnified.
Win Friday night’s second game, and the Canadiens have a legitimate shot. Lose and fall into a 2-0 hole? Good luck with that.
Eight is enough: Given his legerdemain against Tampa Bay, we will avoid using any derogatory term against Jakub Dobes. The Canadiens wouldn’t have defeated the Lightning were it not for the rookie goaltender. Dobes was playing his eighth consecutive postseason game, and he faced some Grade-A scoring opportunities in which he had little, if any, chance. But Dobes failed to make critical saves that might have stopped the bleeding on yet another night where he was required to stand on his head. Four goals against on nine shots won’t ever suffice — at any level of the game and certainly not the NHL. His save percentage against Buffalo was .750. We suspect this was a blip on the radar and Dobes will bounce back. Otherwise, this will be a short series.
Buffalo Sabres right winger Josh Doan (91) celebrates his goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period of Game 1 of an NHL Stanley Cup second round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens at the KeyBank Center on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Harry Scull Jr. / Buffalo News
Strange, but true (Part I): Dobes’s save percentage was .961 over the final three games against Tampa Bay.
We still don’t understand: We thought it was bizarre when the Canadiens spent Monday in Tampa, then practised Tuesday in Florida before taking close to a three-hour flight — the day before a playoff game — to Buffalo. Why didn’t they travel on Monday, practice Tuesday and then relax?
Our random thought of the night: Maybe 5-foot-8, 175-pound Cole Caufield simply isn’t cut out for the playoffs? We know that’s harsh, but Caufield remains stuck on one power-play goal through eight games. He had a glorious opportunity in the opening seconds of the third period, but failed to convert.
It was like pond hockey: The Canadiens are the youngest team remaining in the playoffs and, of course, the NHL. The Sabres are the second-youngest. Both teams can skate. Both teams play with pace. This game was played in a cool two hours and 27 minutes. They should all go this quickly. Your children, who have school in the morning, thank you.
How’s that for gratitude (Part I): Brendan Gallagher, who turned 34 on Wednesday, was a healthy scratch after playing three straight games.
How’s that for gratitude (Part II): Joe Veleno dressed for the first time. The game marked his postseason debut following six seasons.
Strange, but true (Part II): The Sabres’ power play went 1-for-46 in April. That included 1-for-24 in its six-game opening-round conquest over Boston. But on this night Buffalo connected on two of three manpower advantages. It was like watching Gilbert Perreault, René Robert and Rick Martin all over again. Kids, ask your grandfathers to explain.
How not to start a playoff series (Part I): Lane Hutson took a delayed tripping penalty after only 30 seconds.
How not to start a playoff series (Part II): In the game’s fifth minute, Hutson walked in from the point — and hit the crossbar after goalie Alex Lyon got a piece of the shot.
How not to start a playoff series (Part III): Hutson blew a tire, resulting in a three-on-one break — and Buffalo’s opening goal, by Josh Doan.
Buffalo Sabres right-winger Josh Doan (91) celebrates his goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period of Game 1 of an NHL Stanley Cup second round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens at the KeyBank Center on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Harry Scull Jr. / Buffalo News
News you need: The Canadiens hadn’t allowed a first-period goal since the third game of the Tampa Bay series.
Why stop at one?: Ryan McLeod increased the Sabres’ lead to two goals in the game’s 14th minute. It marked the first time in the playoffs Montreal has trailed by two.
Game of inches (Part I): Jake Evans hit the post in the game’s 18th minute, while on a two-on-one break with Alex Newhook.
Pass of the night: Juraj Slafkovsky to Nick Suzuki on the Canadiens’ opening goal, late in the first period.
Go figure: Jordan Greenway, a 6-foot-6, 231-pound fourth-line winger, scored one goal in 40 games this season. He scored his first goal since Nov. 13 early in the second period, restoring Buffalo’s two-goal lead. It was that kind of a night.
Buffalo Sabres left wing Jordan Greenway (12) celebrates his goal with fans in the second period of the first game against the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at KeyBank Center on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Joed Viera / Buffalo News
Game of inches (Part II): Both Jack Quinn and Rasmus Dahlin struck iron in the second period.
Best goal while falling down: in the second period.
Best solo effort of the night: Dach.
Buffalo Sabres centre Peyton Krebs (19) battles for a loose puck with Montreal Canadiens centre Kirby Dach (77) during the first period of Game 1 of an NHL Stanley Cup second round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens at the KeyBank Center on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Harry Scull Jr. / Buffalo News
Game of inches (Part III): Quinn hit the post in the third period.
Strange, but true (Part III): Buffalo had one third-period shot.
Quick stats: Veleno and Zachary Bolduc both had five hits despite playing only 8:33 and 8:53, respectively. Hutson had five shots while playing 26:42. Slafkovsky had four shots. Arber Xhekaj had three hits in only 7:42. The Canadiens won 62.7 per cent of their faceoffs and outhit Buffalo 31-27.
They said it: “I’m confident that we can play any style,” head coach Martin St. Louis said in Buffalo. “I’m confident we can play the game that’s in front of us. I’m confident we can learn from this one and be better. I liked that we battled. It wasn’t the start that we wanted in the game or the series. But we’re going to keep going.”
“For the most part in the third period we found our footing and found our game,” Dach said. “For us it’s about finding a way to get to our game early and stick with it through the whole 60 minutes.”
Editor’s Picks