Sabres level series with Canadiens in tight Game 5 victory
Buffalo defeats Montreal 1-0 at KeyBank Center to tie series 2-2; Game 6 scheduled for May 16.
The Buffalo Sabres have levelled their Eastern Conference Second Round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens following a 1-0 victory in Game 5 on May 14, 2026. The win, secured at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, brought the series standing to 2-2, setting up a decisive Game 6 in Montreal on May 16.
Jason Zucker scored the solitary goal for Buffalo, assisted by Jack Quinn and Conor Timmins. The Sabres’ goaltender, Uusik Luukkonen, maintained a shutout by recording two saves, while Montreal’s J. Dobes conceded the only goal of the match. The game was officiated by referees Chris Rooney, Graham Skilliter, and Jon McIsaac, with linesmen Kiel Murchison and Bevan Mills assisting.
Historically, the Montreal Canadiens hold a significant advantage in regular-season matchups against Buffalo, leading the all-time record 48-24-10. In contrast, the Sabres’ regular-season record stands at 50-23-9. Despite this historical disparity, betting markets listed the Buffalo Sabres as slight favourites in the series odds heading into the latter stages of the contest.
Coverage for the match was provided by TNT, truTV, and HBO Max. Early in the first period, an off-side call occurred, and Jake Evans won the opening faceoff against Ryan McLeod. The statistical breakdown showed Montreal controlling possession with a 66.7 per cent faceoff percentage compared to Buffalo’s 33.3 per cent.
Montreal forward Noah Ostlund is currently listed as out with an estimated return date of May 20. While the Sabres and Canadiens continue their series, other league developments include the Vancouver Canucks appointing Ryan Johnson as their new general manager, with Daniel and Henrik Sedin named co-presidents of hockey operations.
