Game 6 Liveblog: Sabres come back from down 3-1, lead Canadiens 5-3

The Montreal Canadiens can avoid one more trip to Buffalo with a series-clinching win at the Bell Centre tonight in Game 6 against the Buffalo Sabres.

The Canadiens lead the best-of-seven series 3-2.

Note the slightly later puck drop of 8 p.m. (CBC, Sportsnet, TVA Sports, ABC, TSN Radio 690, 98.5 FM).

• Cole Caufield was Mr. Saturday Night during the regular season, but so far hasn’t had a chance to play on a Saturday in the playoffs. That ends tonight. He had 21 goals in 23 games on Saturday this season.
• Alex Lyon starts in goal. Game 5 starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was pulled after the second period for Lyon. No doubt who’s in nets for the Habs: Jakub Dobes.
• Dobes was nearly pulled in Game 5 after allowing three goals on Buffalo’s first four shots, but coach Martin St. Louis stayed the course and was rewarded with the win. It’s one of a few moves from the bench boss that have paid off in the post-season.
• What will Ivan Demidov do for an encore after scoring his first career post-season goal in Game 5?
• Larry Robinson carried the torch for the Canadiens. He joins Cup winners Kirk Muller, Guy Carbonneau, Chris Nilan, Serge Savard and Yvon Cournoyer.

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: Lead lost

The wheels fell off for the Habs in the second. Konsta Helenius gave the Sabres a two-goal lead on a 2-on-1. Was Joe Veleno hit with an elbow at centre ice just before the goal? Sabres 5-3

After the Habs failed to score on a power play, the Sabres took the lead on theirs. Jack Quinn scored his first of the playoffs. Sabres 4-3

Zach Benson didn’t wait long to tie the game up in the second period. He scored at exactly one minute into the period. Tied 3-3

First Period: Lyon pulled

MONTREAL, QUE.: May 16, 2026 — Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) reacts to taking a hit from Montréal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes (75) during 1st period, game 6, round 2 NHL playoff action in Montreal, on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Both players received a penalty on the play. (Allen McInnis / MONTREAL GAZETTE) Allen McInnis / Montreal Gazette

MONTREAL, QUE.: May 16, 2026 — Larry Robinson carries the torch in to the arena during the pregame ceremony of game 6, round 2 NHL playoff action in Montreal, on Saturday, May 16, 2026. (Allen McInnis / MONTREAL GAZETTE) Allen McInnis / Montreal Gazette

Sabres pulled to within one on the power play. Jason Zucker was left in front and he beat Jakub Dobes for his second of the series. 3-2 Canadiens

The Canadiens scored three goals on their first three shots. After Jake Evans scored shorthanded, Alex Lyon was pulled for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. 3-1 Canadiens

On their first power play of the night, Ivan Demidov continued his strong play after Game 5 by scoring his second goal in as many games. 2-1 Canadiens

Arber Xhekaj picked a great time to score his first playoff goal: 1:08 after Buffalo took the lead. Tied 1-1

Buffalo continued their fast starts. Rasmus Dahlin burned Juraj Slafkovsky and scored 32 seconds in. 1-0 Sabres

Larry Robinson is the latest Cup winner to carry the torch into the Bell Centre.

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