Full Breakdown
Sabres Revive Power Play in 4-2 Game 1 Victory Over Canadiens
5/7/2026, 6:58:52 AM
Sabres Break Power-Play Drought in Game 1 Win
Buffalo defeated Montreal 4–2 in the opening contest of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs at KeyBank Center on May 6. Josh Doan opened the scoring at 4:31 of the first period on a 2-on-1 after Zach Benson’s pass. Ryan McLeod added a power-play goal at 13:26, and defenseman Bowen Byram snapped a third-period shot to complete a 4–1 lead. Jordan Greenway supplied the fourth Sabres goal. Montreal’s goals came from Nick Suzuki (power play) and Kirby Dach (late-period highlight). Alex Lyon stopped 26 shots for Buffalo; Jakub Dobes made 12 saves for Montreal.
Background: Sabres Return to Second Round After 15 Years
The win gave Buffalo its first second-round appearance since 2007 and its first overall playoff series win in 15 years. Montreal entered the series after a seven-game victory over Tampa Bay, having not won consecutive playoff games this postseason. Buffalo entered rested, with four days off after a 4–1 Game 6 win over Boston.
Key Performers
- Bowen Byram – defenseman, fourth playoff goal, tying the franchise record for defensemen (Mike Ramsey, Jason Woolley, Alexei Zhitnik).
- Ryan McLeod – forward, power-play scorer and vocal about the revived unit.
- Josh Doan – left wing, opened the scoring.
- Jordan Greenway – right wing, contributed a goal.
- Alex Lyon – goaltender, 26 saves in his fifth consecutive start.
- Jakub Dobes – Montreal netminder, 12 saves.
- Rasmus Dahlin – Sabres captain, left the ice with a leg injury late in the third period.
Statistical Highlights
- Sabres converted 2 of 3 power-play chances (66.7 %) in the game, their first multi-goal power-play performance of the playoffs.
- Over the series, the Sabres’ power-play conversion sits at 4.2 %, tied for 865th of 897 teams with >=20 opportunities since 1978.
- Shots on goal: Buffalo 16, Montreal 28.
- Saves: Lyon 26 (28th-best GAA), Dobes 12 (29th-best GAA).
- The Sabres entered the game after a 0-for-22 power-play stretch in their final seven regular-season games and a 1-for-24 showing against Boston in the first round.
Impact: Special-Teams Revival and Series Momentum
The early power-play success gave Buffalo a two-goal cushion and set the tone for a series lead. Reviving a unit that had struggled all season addresses a critical weakness and may influence the tactical approach of both teams in the upcoming games.
Official Statements & Responses
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff praised the start, noting “I like the quick start we got off to. I know we can be a lot better,” while acknowledging moments of disjointed play. Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis expressed confidence, saying “I’m confident that we can play any style… and we can learn from this one and be better.” Forward Ryan McLeod responded to power-play questions with, “Maybe keep asking, if we’re gonna keep scoring now… It’s a process of building it and getting your look.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on power-play efficiency: the game-by-game conversion (2-of-3) contrasts with the series-wide 4.2 % rate. No detailed breakdown of power-play attempts beyond these figures is provided, and injury updates are limited to Dahlin’s leg issue.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I like the quick start we got off to. I know we can be a lot better,” — Lindy Ruff, Sabres head coach
- “Now, what does that mean? I got to rewatch,” — Martin St. Louis, Canadiens head coach
- “I mean, maybe keep asking, if we’re gonna keep scoring now,” — Ryan McLeod, Sabres forward
- “It’s a process of building it and getting your look.” — Ryan McLeod, Sabres forward
What’s Next
Game 2 is slated for Friday night in Buffalo, after which the series shifts to Montreal for Game 3 on Sunday. The Sabres will look to sustain their power-play momentum, while the Canadiens aim to adjust after a slow start.
