![\"Fans](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0v6a6507_303184099.jpg\")
Fans watch on a screen in Montreal as the Canadiens were playing the Buffalo Sabres during Game 6 of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Saturday, May 16, 2026. John Kenney \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n
The Canadiens appeared to be in control midway through the first period, leading 3-1. All the momentum was on their side. And then? Seven unanswered goals by the visitors \u2014\u00a0the last coming into an empty net.<\/p>\n
And so, for the second consecutive series, the Canadiens will be forced to win a seventh game on the road on Monday night. But how many times can a team play with fire before getting burned? We\u2019re about to find out.<\/p>\n
Our random thought of the night (Part I): Even at age 74, the Canadiens\u2019 best defenceman on this night was Larry Robinson<\/a>, who served as the torch-bearer during the pre-game ceremony.<\/p>\n Our random thought of the night (Part II): Somewhere in Raleigh, Carolina players are sitting back and relishing every moment of this series. The Hurricanes, undefeated in eight playoff games, have been idle since May 9. Whichever team they face in the Eastern Conference final will be battered and bruised. Buffalo has played 12 games \u2014\u00a0one less than the Canadiens.<\/p>\n News you need (Part I): The Canadiens lost a potential series-clinching game at home when leading by multiple goals for the first time in franchise history.<\/p>\n News you need (Part II): During the Sabres\u2019 56-season NHL existence, they have one Game 7 win \u2014\u00a0in 1997 against the always under-achieving Ottawa Senators. So, you might as well say they\u2019ve never won a seventh game.<\/p>\n News you need (Part III): Not only did the game start at 8 p.m. \u2014\u00a0thanks to ABC \u2014\u00a0it was the first time the Canadiens appeared on the U.S. network since May 16, 1993, during a playoff game against the New York Islanders. ABC cares little about Canadian teams, apparently. We expect to receive an email denying this statement.<\/p>\n It was painful to watch: Jakub Dobes has been brilliant in the playoffs<\/a>, and the Canadiens wouldn\u2019t have advanced this far without his stellar play. But the 24-year-old rookie appears to be physically and mentally exhausted. He allowed six goals on 33 shots before being replaced by Jacob Fowler midway through the third period. Dobes\u2019s save percentage was .818.<\/p>\n But the sieve of the night award goes to: Alex Lyon. He lasted all of 10:14, allowing three goals on four shots, for a save percentage of .250.<\/p>\n Look at the bright side (Part I): The Canadiens have a 5-2 post-season record on the road.<\/p>\n Look at the bright side (Part II): Sure, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who replaced Lyon, stopped all 18 shots. But he has been unable to string together two consecutive competent playoff performances.<\/p>\n Look at the bright side (Part III): Buffalo, like the Canadiens, has struggled on home ice during the playoffs. Both teams have similar 2-4 records.<\/p>\n Strange, but true (Part I): For the fifth time in six games against Buffalo, the Canadiens allowed an early first-period goal. The latest \u2014\u00a0captain Rasmus Dahlin scored after only 32 seconds. Needless to say, it was the Sabres\u2019 first shot.<\/p>\n How not to play defence: Alexandre Carrier on Dahlin\u2019s goal.<\/p>\n But wait, there\u2019s more: It was Juraj Slafkovsky\u2019s turnover<\/a> on the play that set the wheels in motion.<\/p>\n Momentum \u2026 schmomentum: Only 68 seconds following Dahlin\u2019s goal, Arber Xhekaj tied the score.<\/p>\n Best goal on one knee: Ivan Demidov, with his second score in as many games, gave the Canadiens a 2-1 lead.<\/p>\n How to squander a two-goal lead: We believe the turning point occurred at 11:47 of the opening period, when Mike Matheson took a double high-sticking minor. Buffalo scored once while he was off, giving the visitors a life.<\/p>\n How not to play the position (Part I): Dobes lost sight of the puck on Buffalo\u2019s third goal. It trickled behind him, leading to an easy score for Zach Benson. To make matters worse, it came only 60 seconds into the second period and tied the score 3-3.<\/p>\n Our Cirque de Soleil moment of the night: Tage Thompson went up and over Matheson behind the Canadiens\u2019 net in the second period, while attempting to administer a check.<\/p>\n Your best players have to be your best players: Dahlin had a goal and four assists. Thompson had a goal and three assists. Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Slafkovsky all failed to score. Caufield contributed one assist. Slafkovsky had three shots. Caufield and Suzuki both had two.<\/p>\n![\"Hockey](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0517-spt-habs-3134_303185514-1.jpg\")
Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes (75) is pulled from goal as backup Jacob Fowler (32) heads to the net during the third period in Game 6. Allen McInnis \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n![\"Canadiens](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0517-spt-habs-2386_303184658.jpg\")
Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson (8) sends Buffalo Sabres\u2019 Tage Thompson (72) in in Game 6. Allen McInnis \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n