NHL playoff bracket highlights as Ducks tie series, Sabres win Game 1

The Buffalo Sabres, in the second round for the first time since 2007, got an early jump and pulled off a 4-2 victory against the Montreal Canadiens.

The Sabres will carry a 1-0 series lead into Friday's game in Buffalo.

Buffalo solved Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes, a first round standout, with cross-crease passes and shots through screens to take a 4-1 lead. The Sabres scored twice on the power play after getting only one man-advantage goal in the first round, and Jordan Greenway scored his first playoff goal in four years.

Montreal's Kirby Dach scored a highlight-reel goal, scoring on a backhand on a rebound as he was falling. But that was all the Canadiens could muster despite outshooting the Sabres 11-1 in the third period.

In the late game, the Anaheim Ducks bounced back from a Game 1 loss to win 3-1 and tie the series with the Vegas Golden Knights at one game apiece. Game 3 is Friday in Anaheim.

Beckett Sennecke and Leo Carlsson got open near Golden Knights goalie Carter Hart to score for Anaheim. Mark Stone's power play goal with 5.6 seconds left denied Lukas Dostal a shutout.

USA TODAY provided live updates on Wednesday's NHL action. Here are highlights:

NHL games today (Wednesday, May 6)

• Sabres 4, Canadiens 2
• Ducks 3, Golden Knights 1

Ducks vs Golden Knights highlights

Final score: Ducks 3, Golden Knights 1

The series is tied 1-1. The Ducks become the first visiting team this season to win a second-round game.

Golden Knights score: Mark Stone breaks shutout

Mark Stone's power play goal with 5.6 seconds left denies Lukas Dostal a shutout. Ducks 3, Golden Knights 1

Ducks score: Anaheim gets empty netter

Jansen Harkins scores after the Golden Knights pull Carter Hart for an extra skater. Ducks 3, Golden Knights 0

5 minutes left

2-0 Ducks.

Golden Knights go on power play

Ryan Poehling is called for tripping. The Golden Knights had Lukas Dostal scrambling but can't connect.

Ducks score: Leo Carlsson gives Anaheim two-goal lead

Another Vegas breakdown. Leo Carlsson is left alone near Carter Hart and he knocks in a pass from Troy Terry. Ducks 2, Golden Knights 0

Third period underway

1-0 Ducks.

End of second period: Ducks 1, Golden Knights 0

Anaheim's Beckett Sennecke gets the game's lone goal when the Golden Knights left him alone in the slot. Anaheim could have a bigger lead but they're 0-for-5 on the power play.

Ducks go on power play

Keegan Kolesar is called for hooking. Cutter Gauthier shoots high with Carter Hart out of position and penalty is kiled.

Ducks score: Beckett Sennecke gives Anaheim lead

Beckett Sennecke is left alone in the slot and he scores after a pass from Jeffrey Viel. Ducks 1, Golden Knights 0

Midway through second period

Game still scoreless.

Golden Knights go on power play

Jeffrey Viel is called for high sticking. Vegas gets two shots and penalty is killed.

Second period underway

Game is scoreless.

End of first period: Golden Knights 0, Ducks 0

The Ducks outshoot the Golden Knights 13-4 in the first period. That will happen when you have four power-plays, including an extended 5-on-3. Vegas goalie Carter Hart is having another strong performance.

Golden Knights go on power play

Tim Washe is called for goalie interference. No shots for Vegas as the penalty expires.

Ducks get 5-on-3 power play

Mitch Marner puts the puck over the glass, then Jack Eichel gets a two-minute minor for a high-stick that draws blood. The 5-on-3 is killed. Now more than two minutes remain in the Eichel penalty. That's killed off, too. Masterful penalty killing there.

Golden Knights vs Ducks underway

Carter Hart vs. Lukas Dostal in net.

Sabres vs. Canadiens highlights

Final score: Sabres 4, Canadiens 2

Montreal outshoots Buffalo 11-1 in the final and Sabres goalie Alex Lyon comes up big, including against Ivan Demidov in the final minute. The Sabres got the jump early in the game with Zach Benson getting two assists. Kirby Dach scored a highlight reel goal in the second period to pull Montreal within two goals at 4-2, but that ended up being the final goal of the game.

Canadiens pull goalie

They have the extra skater out there with more than two minutes left.

Rasmus Dahlin injury update

The Sabres captain makes a big block, is limping as he gets to his feet and when the play finally stops, he heads to the dressing room. He's standing by the bench now. Coach Lindy Ruff said he seemed fine after the game, according to the Buffalo News.

Six minutes left

4-2 Buffalo.

Third period underway

4-2 Sabres. Alex Lyon is called upon to make a big save early.

Canadiens score: Great goal by Kirby Dach

What a goal as Montreal takes advantage of a Buffalo turnover. Alex Lyon stops Kirby Dach's first shot but his lifts a backhander over the goalie's glove as he is falling. Sabres 4, Canadiens 2

End of second period: Sabres 4, Canadiens 2

The Montreal-Tampa Bay series was as tight as can be. So far this isn't. Jordan Greenway and Bowen Byram bumped the Sabres' lead to 4-1. But Kirby Dach scores a beautiful goal at 16:31 to cut the Canadiens' deficit to two goals.

Canadiens go on power play

Beck Malenstyn is called for high-sticking. Montreal scored on its first power play opportunity but not on this one.

Sabres goal: Another power play goal for Buffalo

Bowen Byram scores through a screen after the Canadiens fail to clear. It's his fourth playoff goal and gives Buffalo two power play goals in the game after getting one in the first round. Sabres 4, Canadiens 1

Sabres go on power play

Jack Quinn hits the cross-check and soon after, Kaiden Guhle is called for cross-checking. Sabres score again on the power play.

Sabres score: Jordan Greenway adds to lead

Jordan Greenway gets his first playoff goal in four years. He shoots through a screen and it goes in off Jakub Dobes' glove. Dobes might want that one back. Sabres 3, Canadiens 1

Logan Stanley injury update

Logan Stanley is back on the ice. He went to the dressing room in the first period after being hit in the leg by a skate blade

Second period underway

2-1 Sabres.

End of first period: Sabres 2, Canadiens 1

Both teams can take away something. Buffalo scores its second power play goal of the playoffs. But Montreal gets contributions from its top line and also scores on the power play. Buffalo's Zach Benson has been jumping in this game. Shots are 10-6 Montreal.

Canadiens score: Nick Suzuki scores on power play

Good sign for the Canadiens considering Montreal's top line was shut down for much of the first round. Suzuki, who tapped in a cross-crease pass, now has goals in back-to-back games. Juraj Slafkovsky gets his first point since his hat trick in the playoff opener.

Canadiens go on power play

Rasmus Dahlin is called for interference. And Montreal scores.

Sabres score: Ryan McLeod adds to lead

Zach Benson has been dominant this game. Two assists and drew a penalty. Another good pass on this play as Ryan McLeod scores on the power play. Josh Doan picks up his second point of the game. Sabres 2, Canadiens 0

Sabres go on power play

Nick Suzuki is called for tripping. Sabres are 0-for-1 so far in this game. But they score this time.

Logan Stanley injury update

Sabres defenseman Logan Stanley has gone to the dressing room, TNT reported. He had blocked a shot.

Sabres scores: Josh Doan gives Buffalo lead

The Sabres get an odd-man break after a Canadiens defenseman loses his balance. Zach Benson feeds Josh Doan for a easy tap-in. Sabres 1, Canadiens 0.

Sabres go on power play

Lane Hutson trips Zach Benson less than a minute into the game. Montreal kills the penalty.

Sabres vs Canadiens underway

Sabres' Alex Lyons vs. Canadiens' Jakub Dobes. Josh Norris line vs. Nick Suzuki line.

Canadiens projected lines

Sabres projected lines

Sam Carrick injury update

Sabres forward Sam Carrick, a trade deadline acquisition, won't play in Game 1. He has been out since March 31 with an arm injury but had resumed practicing.

Noah Cates injury update

Flyers coach Rick Tocchet said forward Noah Cates (lower body) is out of the series against the Hurricanes. But he said Christian Dvorak is day-to-day and a possibility for Game 3. The Flyers trail the series 2-0.

Nick Suzuki among Selke Trophy finalists

Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki is among the three finalists for the Selke Trophy as top defensive forward. The other finalists are Tampa Bay's Anthony Cirelli and Colorado's Brock Nelson.

Odds for NHL playoff games today

Betting lines by BetMGM as of 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 6.

Montreal Canadiens at Buffalo Sabres odds

• Spread: Sabres (-1.5)
• Moneyline: Sabres (-135), Canadiens (+115)
• Over/under: 5.5

Anaheim Ducks at Vegas Golden Knights odds

• Spread: Golden Knights (-1.5)
• Moneyline: Golden Knights (-165), Ducks (+140)
• Over/under: 6.5

NHL playoff bracket 2026

All times p.m. ET. x-if necessary

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens

Sabres lead series 1-0

• Game 1: Sabres 4, Canadiens 2 | Story
• Game 2: May 8, Montreal at Buffalo, 7, TNT, truTV
• Game 3: May 10, Buffalo at Montreal, 7, ESPN
• Game 4: May 12, Buffalo at Montreal, TBA, ESPN
• x-Game 5: May 14, Montreal at Buffalo, TBA, TNT, truTV
• x-Game 6: May 16, Buffalo at Montreal, TBA, (ABC or ESPN)
• x-Game 7: May 18, Montreal at Buffalo, TBA, ESPN

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Philadelphia Flyers

Hurricanes lead series 2-0

• Game 1: Hurricanes 3, Flyers 0
• Game 2: Hurricanes 3, Flyers 2 (OT)
• Game 3: May 7, Carolina at Philadelphia, 8, TNT, truTV
• Game 4: May 9, Carolina at Philadelphia, 6, TNT, truTV
• x-Game 5: May 11, Philadelphia at Carolina, TBA, ESPN
• x-Game 6: May 13, Carolina at Philadelphia, TBA, TNT, truTV
• x-Game 7: May 16, Philadelphia at Carolina, TBA, TNT, truTV

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild

Avalanche lead series 2-0

• Game 1: Avalanche 9, Wild 6
• Game 2: Avalanche 5, Wild 2
• Game 3: May 9, Colorado at Minnesota, 9, TNT, truTV
• Game 4: May 11, Colorado at Minnesota, TBA, ESPN
• x-Game 5: May 13, Minnesota at Colorado, TBA, TNT, truTV
• x- Game 6: May 15, Colorado at Minnesota, TBA, ESPN
• x-Game 7: May 17, Minnesota at Colorado, TNT, truTV

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Anaheim Ducks

Series tied 1-1

• Game 1: Golden Knights 3, Ducks 1
• Game 2: Ducks 3, Golden Knights 1
• Game 3: May 8, Vegas at Anaheim, 9:30, TNT, truTV
• Game 4: May 10, Vegas at Anaheim, 9:30, ESPN
• Game 5: May 12, Anaheim at Vegas, TBA, ESPN
• x-Game 6: May 14, Vegas at Anaheim, TBA, TNT, truTV
• x-Game 7: May 16, Anaheim at Vegas, TBA, ABC or ESPN

How to watch NHL playoffs

NHL playoff games will be broadcast in the United States by ESPN, TNT and their affiliated networks.

How to stream NHL playoffs

Fubo carries ESPN, and Sling carries TNT.