Canadiens beat Sabres 6-3 in Game 5 to take 3-2 series lead
Posted May 14, 2026 6:02 pm.
Last Updated May 14, 2026 11:21 pm.
The Montreal Canadiens are heading home with a 3-2 series lead against the Buffalo Sabres after a 6-3 victory in Game 5 on Thursday night at KeyBank Center.
After a chaotic opening period that featured five goals in just over 10 minutes, the Canadiens settled into the game and responded with four unanswered goals to move within one win of advancing to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 2021.
Nick Suzuki led the way offensively for Montreal with a goal and two assists, while Juraj Slafkovský recorded three assists and Ivan Demidov scored his first career NHL playoff goal while also adding an assist. Lane Hutson and Phillip Danault each finished with two assists as Montreal’s top players finally broke through offensively after a quieter start to the series.
The Canadiens also received a strong performance from Jakub Dobeš, who recovered after allowing three goals on Buffalo’s first four shots and finished the night with 33 saves.
Fast-paced opening period sees teams trade goals
The Buffalo Sabres opened the scoring early in the first period when Jack Quinn fired a wrist shot toward the net that deflected off Jason Zucker and then off Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson before beating Dobeš. Zucker was credited with the goal, his first of the playoffs.
Cole Caufield tied the game 1-1 at 6:31 after Montreal forced a turnover in the offensive zone. Slafkovský worked the puck to Suzuki, who found Caufield alone at the back door for an easy tap-in.
COLE CAUFIELD TIES IT UP FOR THE HABS ???? pic.twitter.com/kcffws1rvL
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 14, 2026
Just over a minute later, Buffalo restored its lead when Josh Doan finished a feed from Owen Power with a one-timer from the left circle to make it 2-1.
The Canadiens answered almost immediately.
Only nine seconds after Doan’s goal, Phillip Danault battled along the boards before feeding Alexandre Carrier at the blue line. Carrier’s shot deflected off Alexandre Texier in front and past Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to even the score at 2-2.
THIS GAME!!
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 14, 2026
ALEX TEXIER QUICKLY ANSWERS FOR THE CANADIENS ???? pic.twitter.com/1Yq7PDZJok
Buffalo regained the lead midway through the period thanks to rookie Konsta Helenius, who scored his first career playoff goal. After carrying the puck into the offensive zone, Helenius slipped a shot through Dobeš’ five-hole to give the Sabres a 3-2 advantage.
Canadiens take control in the second period
Montreal responded with its strongest stretch of the night in the second period.
Josh Anderson tied the game 3-3 at 8:01 after Lane Hutson threaded a pass through the crease, allowing Anderson to finish into an open net at the back post.
WHAT A PLAY BY LANE HUTSON ????
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 15, 2026
JOSH ANDERSON TIES THE GAME!! pic.twitter.com/pTnHnr27ol
The Canadiens then grabbed their first lead late in the period.
Ivan Demidov drove a shot through Luukkonen that stopped just short of the goal line, but Jake Evans crashed the crease and poked the loose puck into the net to make it 4-3 with 3:45 remaining in the second.
JAKE EVANS GIVES MONTREAL THEIR FIRST LEAD OF GAME 5 ???? pic.twitter.com/9j3zI1qs7r
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 15, 2026
Just 68 seconds later — and only 10 seconds into a power play — Montreal struck again. Slafkovský regained possession along the end boards and sent a one-handed pass into the slot for Suzuki, who snapped a shot through Luukkonen’s pads from the right circle to extend the lead to 5-3.
NICK SUZUKI DOUBLES THE HABS LEAD ON THE POWER PLAY ???? pic.twitter.com/5uNTzxk5mH
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 15, 2026
Demidov scores first playoff goal as Canadiens close it out
The Sabres made a goaltending change to begin the third period, replacing Luukkonen with Alex Lyon after Luukkonen allowed five goals on 23 shots through 40 minutes.
Demidov added to Montreal’s lead early in the third on the power play, wiring a wrist shot past Lyon from the high slot for his first NHL playoff goal and a 6-3 Canadiens lead.
FIRST CAREER #STANLEYCUP PLAYOFF GOAL FOR IVAN DEMIDOV ???? pic.twitter.com/Snf4u5S1Hx
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 15, 2026
Buffalo attempted to mount a comeback late in regulation and pulled Lyon for an extra attacker with 6:29 remaining. The Sabres later received a lengthy 6-on-4 advantage after penalties to Hutson and Anderson, but Montreal’s penalty kill held firm to preserve the three-goal lead.
Lyon stopped two of the three shots he faced in relief for Buffalo.
Canadiens fans energized after Game 5 win
Canadiens fans celebrated the Game 5 victory and Montreal’s 3-2 series lead following Thursday night’s win, with many praising the team’s resilience after falling behind three times in the opening period.
“They played great. Second, third period. Amazing. Amazing. Great comeback. They let in the first goal, but they stayed in it and they won,” one fan said.
Fans were especially excited about Montreal’s response after a shaky opening period.
“We are so excited. We’re going to Saturday’s game. We’re from Vancouver and we’re going to the next game on Saturday. Go Habs go!” another pair of fans said.
Several supporters said they were impressed with the Canadiens’ ability to take over the game in the second period.
“The beginning was okay, but I’m happy with the score. Very happy,” one supporter said.
The win also sparked emotional reactions from fans anticipating a potential series-clinching game at the Bell Centre.
“We just won! Go Habs go! Woo!” another fan shouted.
Others pointed to Montreal’s comeback effort as a sign the team could make a deep playoff run.
“It’s an amazing game. We were losing. We came back so strong. And that’s it — next game we’re going to win. And we’re going to beat Carolina,” another fan said.
Some fans admitted they were nervous early in the game before the Canadiens turned things around.
“First period was so-so. When it was 3-2 I got scared. Second period I got really, really scared…And then they just locked in. I don’t know. It was amazing,” one fan said.
Demidov’s first NHL playoff goal was also a major talking point among Canadiens supporters.
“Happy to see Demidov scored finally. I’m so excited for him. He’s been playing amazing all series. Finally actually got a point. I’m just happy for him to actually see that happen, you know?”
Goaltender Jakub Dobeš also earned praise after bouncing back from a difficult start to make 33 saves.
“Amazing. Dobeš is the GOAT,” another supporter said.
Fans were already looking ahead to Saturday night’s Game 6 at the Bell Centre.
“Exquisite. I’m loving life right now,” one fan said.
“Demidov stood out to me — one goal, his first playoff goal. I’m loving his game right now. We’re taking it in six. Bell Centre Saturday night. Let’s go!” he added.
The excitement surrounding the Canadiens’ playoff push was evident throughout the crowd after the game.
“I’m feeling so good right now. The Canadiens won. Vive le Québec, vive Demidov, vive tout le monde, allez, go Habs go,” another supporter added.
Canadiens one win away from Eastern Conference Final
The victory gives Montreal a 3-2 lead in the second-round series as the Canadiens return home with a chance to clinch a spot in the Eastern Conference Final.
Game 6 is scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. ET at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The winner of the series will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the conference final.
