Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Sabres Crushed 5-1 by Canadiens, Coach Blames Sloppiness

5/9/2026

31 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Sabres Lose

The Buffalo Sabres lost 5-1 to the Montreal Canadiens in Buffalo, with goalie Alex Lyon making 23 saves for a .852 save percentage.
Thompson’s spin move set up Carrier’s fourth goal, yet he finished with a minus-four rating and no goals.
Coach Lindy Ruff said the Sabres beat themselves because of sloppy puck play.
Thompson said he was fighting it tonight and will focus on Game 3 Sunday in Montreal.

Summary

Sabres Struggle

The Buffalo Sabres converted three of 32 power-play chances and went 0-for-5 on the man-advantage in Game 2.
Montreal also finished 0-for-5 on the power play in Game 2 despite creating several chances.
Buffalo’s power play was 1-for-24 in the first round and 1-for-46 in April, showing season-long inefficiency.
After a shaky Game 1, goaltender Jakub Dobes posted a .967 save percentage in Game 2, stopping 29 of 30 shots.

History

Historical Context

In 1999 the Buffalo Sabres were swept 4-0 by the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Finals, converting just one of 27 power-play chances (3.7%). That same inefficiency resurfaced in 2024, when the Sabres managed only three goals on 32 opportunities against Montreal. The repeat underscores a franchise-wide special-teams problem that has persisted through a 14-year playoff drought.

1 of 3

Sabres Lose

The Buffalo Sabres lost 5-1 to the Montreal Canadiens in Buffalo, with goalie Alex Lyon making 23 saves for a .852 save percentage.
Thompson’s spin move set up Carrier’s fourth goal, yet he finished with a minus-four rating and no goals.
Coach Lindy Ruff said the Sabres beat themselves because of sloppy puck play.
Thompson said he was fighting it tonight and will focus on Game 3 Sunday in Montreal.

1 / 3