Canadiens aim to take 3-1 series lead over visiting Sabres tonight
Montreal Canadiens’ Kirby Dach (77) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon (34) during third period, second round, Game 3, NHL playoff hockey action in Montreal, Sunday, May 10, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
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May 12, 2026 | 2:00 AM
MONTREAL — The Buffalo Sabres can relate to the time-tested adage that some days you’re the pigeon, some days you’re the statue.
After a messy 6-2 loss to the host Canadiens on Sunday — leaving the Sabres down 2-1 in the best-of-seven playoff series — coach Lindy Ruff pointed to a number of self-inflicted mistakes and poor decisions that must be rectified if the Atlantic Division-leading squad hopes to level the second-round series tonight in Montreal.
“We weren’t good enough (in Game 3). We weren’t good enough to win the game,” said Ruff. “It isn’t a time for excuses … I need their best game (tonight).”
After losing the series opener 4-2 in Buffalo, the Canadiens have bounced back with 5-1 and 6-2 victories. Since Game 1, the youngest team in the NHL playoffs has outscored the Sabres 11-3 and has outshot them 64-57.
