Game 3 Liveblog: Caufield, Slafkovsky bust slumps, Canadiens lead Sabres 4-2

The Montreal Canadiens will look to keep momentum going as their best-of-seven series against the Buffalo Sabres switches to the Bell Centre for Game 3 on Sunday.

The second-round series is currently tied 1-1 after Montreal’s 5-1 win in Game 2.

Here are the keys to tonight’s game:

• Heading to the Bell Centre to watch outside? The Canadiens have expanded their outdoor playoff watch party with a third screen.
• If not, chances are you’ll still find hints of bleu-blanc-rouge all over the city.
• In Game 2, Sabres forward Zach Benson tried to rattle goaltender Jakub Dobes after scoring Buffalo’s lone goal. It didn’t work. Will we see the Sabres go after Montreal’s goalie again?
• Meanwhile, Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon had been on a hot streak since coming in relief of starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in Game 2 against Boston in the first round. But he allowed four against the Habs on Friday.
• Defenceman Noah Dobson earned his first point of these playoffs in Game 2 after missing the first six games of the first round against Tampa Bay. Could his presence on the back end help Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky get out of their five-on-five funks?

Stay tuned to this page for updates and game highlights throughout the evening. You can also keep the conversation going over on our livestream on the Hockey Inside Out YouTube channel.

Second Period: Three goals for Habs

Buffalo cut into Montreal lead before the end of the second period. On the power play, Rasmus Dahlin snuck through an unsuspecting Dobes. 4-2 Canadiens

Then on another power play after Beck Malenstyn ran over Jakub Dobes, Juraj Slafkovsky joined Cole Caufield in breaking out of his slump. Dobes celebrated from the other end of the ice. 4-1 Canadiens

And here’s the initial penalty on Malenstyn.

Then it was Zachary Bolduc who added to Montreal’s lead. Joe Veleno got his first point of the playoffs. 3-1 Canadiens

Cole Caufield finally broke through with his first goal of the series. He scored on the power play after a terrific sequence from the top PP unit. Lane Hutson with the set up. 2-1 Canadiens

Cole Caufield continues to be snakebit. After missing a chance in the first period, he whiffed on a wide open net to start the second.

First Period: Muller carries the torch

Former Montreal Canadien Kirk Muller carries the torch into the Bell Centre prior to Game 3 of National Hockey League playoff series against the Buffalo Sabres in Montreal, Sunday May 10, 2026. John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette

Montreal Canadiens’ Juraj Slafkovsky reacts as he listens to referee Garrett Rank explain a penalty call to head coach Martin St. Louis during first period of Game 3 of National Hockey League playoff series against the Buffalo Sabres in Montreal, Sunday May 10, 2026. John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette

Alex Newhook continued his hot stretch from Game 2, scoring his fourth of the playoffs to tie the game. Tied 1-1

Nick Suzuki had a chance all alone in front to tie it up, but he couldn’t find a way to get the puck past Alex Lyon.

Cole Caufield gave away the puck on the chip out, and Tage Thompson scored back door on the end board bounce to give Buffalo a lead on the first shot. 1-0 Sabres

Former captain and Cup winner from 1993 Kirk Muller carried the torch in the pregame ceremony.

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