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Canadiens Host Sabres in Game 3, Series Tied

5/11/2026

24 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Canadiens Host

The Montreal Canadiens host the Buffalo Sabres for Game 3 at the Bell Centre on Sunday, series 1-1, with goaltender Jakub Dobes entering on a 5-4 record, 2.14 GAA and .917 save percentage.
Alex Newhook scored two goals in Game 2.
Coach Martin St. Louis says Montreal will face a loud arena and play defensively.
Alex Lyon allowed four goals on 27 shots in Game 2 and may be replaced by Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

Summary

Canadiens Favored

Betting markets list the Canadiens as -125 favorites and the Sabres at +105 on the money line.
SportsLine’s 10,000-simulation model forecasts the Over at 6.0 goals, a value play 57% of the time.
Goaltender save percentages sit below 89% while forwards Cole Caufield and Tage Thompson each have a 0.50-goal expectation.
The Sabres average 3.1 goals and allow 2.4 per playoff game, versus the Canadiens’ 2.6 scored and 2.2 conceded.

Summary

Carrick Cleared

Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff confirmed centre Sam Carrick is cleared for Game 3.
Carrick returned day-to-day after a March 31 upper-body injury in a fight with Islanders captain Anders Lee, prompting the Sabres’ rehab staff to cut his projected six-to-eight-week layoff.
Acquired from the New York Rangers at the deadline, he has five goals, one assist in 13 games and is slated to play fourth-line centre to improve face-offs and add depth.

History

Historical Context

After a 115-point 1978-79 season, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the New York Rangers 4-1 in the 1979 Stanley Cup Final, securing their fourth straight championship and first home-ice victory since 1968. The win gave the Canadiens 46 points to the Rangers’ 26, and prompted retirements of Lemaire, Cournoyer and Dryden and Bowman’s move to Buffalo.

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Canadiens Host

The Montreal Canadiens host the Buffalo Sabres for Game 3 at the Bell Centre on Sunday, series 1-1, with goaltender Jakub Dobes entering on a 5-4 record, 2.14 GAA and .917 save percentage.
Alex Newhook scored two goals in Game 2.
Coach Martin St. Louis says Montreal will face a loud arena and play defensively.
Alex Lyon allowed four goals on 27 shots in Game 2 and may be replaced by Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

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