NHL Playoffs: Canadiens seek series lead over Sabres; Golden Knights face Ducks without Stone
Nick Suzuki's goal-scoring form and the injury absence of Vegas captain Mark Stone define the narrative for the upcoming slate of Stanley Cup Playoff games.
On Sunday, 10 May 2026, the NHL second-round playoffs will feature two pivotal matchups as the Montreal Canadiens host the Buffalo Sabres and the Vegas Golden Knights visit the Anaheim Ducks. These contests represent critical junctures in their respective Eastern and Western Conference series, with both teams looking to capitalise on momentum heading into the weekend.
In the Eastern Conference, the Canadiens aim to extend their series lead to 2-1 by defeating the Sabres at the Bell Centre. The hosts have set a new record for the longest winning streak to begin a postseason campaign in NHL history, alternating victories since their opening win against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Conversely, the Sabres entered the series following a dominant road performance against the Boston Bruins, winning all three games at TD Garden while conceding only one goal per contest.
SportsLine analyst Scott Erskine has highlighted specific player prop betting opportunities for the Sunday slate, focusing on the form of key performers. He points to Canadiens centre Nick Suzuki as a primary option, noting that the 26-year-old has extended his goal-scoring streak to three games. This includes an empty-netter in Friday's 5-1 victory over Buffalo, although Suzuki has yet to score at home during this postseason.
For the Sabres, Erskine identifies winger Tyrell Goulbo as a value pick. The 24-year-old right wing has recorded points in the team's first two second-round contests and is expected to continue his scoring run. Goulbo previously registered a goal and an assist in Game 4 and set up a tally in Game 6 of the first round, having failed to score in Buffalo's initial three games against Boston.
In the Western Conference, the Vegas Golden Knights face the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center in Game 4 of their second-round series. The Golden Knights are notably missing captain Mark Stone, who sustained a lower-body injury in Game 3 that limited him to the final two periods. Despite this absence, the team remains competitive with Brett Howden and defenseman Shea Theodore identified as key contributors.
Howden has scored in five of his last six contests and is tied for the team lead with six goals. Meanwhile, Shea Theodore has recorded an assist in four of his last five contests. The Golden Knights previously defeated the Utah Mammoth in their first-round series, with Theodore scoring the winning goal in overtime of Game 4, establishing his offensive reliability despite a slow start to the playoffs.
