Story perspectives

Sabres Trail 2-1 After 6-2 Loss, Coach Demands Reset

5/12/2026

Summary

Sabres Seek Reset

The Buffalo Sabres lost 6-2 to the Montreal Canadiens, falling behind 2-1 in the series.
Coach Lindy Ruff urged a reset, stressing control of Game 4, fewer penalties and a faster pace.
Forwards Alex Tuch and Zach Benson said the defensive lapses were self-inflicted and demanded more effort.
Defensemen Beck Malenstyn and Arber Xhekaj each received the CBA maximum fine of $3,515.63 and $3,385.42 respectively.

Summary

Ruff Backs Lyon

Coach Lindy Ruff defended Alex Lyon in Game 3, citing 31 saves on 36 shots (.857 save-percentage) despite five goals.
The Sabres replaced Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen with Lyon after Boston loss, sparking a three-win streak.
Luukkonen posted a .941 save-percentage against Montreal in the regular season, allowing two goals in two Sabres wins.
Ruff said the goalie change is a “wake-up call” for the roster, noting netminders function as a 1A/1B tandem.

Summary

Canadiens Embrace Depth

Twelve Canadiens have scored at least one goal this postseason, showing depth.
Coach Martin St. Louis said the team gained experience from a Tampa Bay Lightning series that featured four overtime games and three road wins.
Defenceman Kaiden Guhle warned the squad not to overthink after taking a 3-1 lead, urging focus on their own game, while St. Louis told players to block phone distractions and ignore the scoreboard.

Summary

Malenstyn Xhekaj Fined

Beck Malenstyn was fined $3,515.63 for goaltender interference after crashing into Montreal goaltender Jakub Dobes.
Arber Xhekaj received a $3,385.42 fine for roughing after punching Buffalo forward Sam Carrick’s chin in a scrum.
Camera footage showed Carrick falling after Xhekaj’s punch, which came after the final buzzer.
The two teams combined for 80 penalty minutes in Game 3.
Both fines are the maximum penalties allowed under the NHL collective bargaining agreement.

History

Historical Context

The 2004-05 NHL lockout began on September 16 2004 and cancelled the entire season, ending after a 310-day stoppage when owners ratified a new CBA on July 22 2005. That agreement introduced a league-wide salary cap tied to revenues and standardized disciplinary rules. Those rules still set the fine limits applied to Buffalo’s and Montreal’s 2024 playoff penalties.

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Sabres Seek Reset

The Buffalo Sabres lost 6-2 to the Montreal Canadiens, falling behind 2-1 in the series.
Coach Lindy Ruff urged a reset, stressing control of Game 4, fewer penalties and a faster pace.
Forwards Alex Tuch and Zach Benson said the defensive lapses were self-inflicted and demanded more effort.
Defensemen Beck Malenstyn and Arber Xhekaj each received the CBA maximum fine of $3,515.63 and $3,385.42 respectively.

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