Sabres stage huge rally to rout Canadiens, force Game 7: Highlights

The Buffalo Sabres, who waited 14 years for a return to the NHL playoffs, are living a little longer in the postseason.

They had to fight from behind because of another suspect goaltending performance, but they scored seven consecutive goals against the Montreal Canadiens for a 8-3 victory that forces a Game 7 in Buffalo on Monday, May 18.

Coach Lindy Ruff used Alex Lyon in net for Game 6 on Saturday, May 16, after he pulled Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in Game 5. But Lyon didn't last long after giving up three goals on four shots.

The tide turned after Luukkonen came in as the Sabres pulled within a goal before the end of the first period and then scored three times in the second period for a two-goal lead.

The Sabres, who mixed up their lines, got big production from their stars. Rasmus Dahlin scored 32 seconds into the game and added four assists. Tage Thompson had a four-point night.

Zach Benson had a goal and an assist and Jack Quinn scored his first two goals of the playoffs.

Ruff will have to figure out his goaltending for Game 7 and the Canadiens will need a bounce-back effort from Jakub Dobes, who had played every minute of the postseason before he was pulled after the Sabres' sixth goal.

USA TODAY provided live updates on Game 6 of the Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres second-round series. Here are highlights:

Canadiens vs Sabres highlights

Final score: Sabres 8, Canadiens 3

The Sabres score seven consecutive goals after goalie Alex Lyon is pulled. They force a Game 7, which will be Monday night in Buffalo.

Sabres score: Zach Metsa gets first goal

He makes it 8-3 on the power play.

Game getting scrappy

Arber Xhekaj is out of the game with a misconduct and an interference minor.

Sabres score: Tage Thompson gets empty netter

He makes it 7-3 with a shot from the Sabres zone into the empty net.

Canadiens pull goalie

Jacob Fowler is out for an extra skater with more than seven minutes left.

Canadiens make goalie change

Jakub Dobes is out after giving up six goals on 33 shots. Jacob Fowler is making its first appearance of the playoffs.

Sabres score: Jack Quinn gets second goal

He scores on a one-timer from a bottom of the faceoff circle for his second goal of the night and the playoffs. Sabres 6, Canadiens 3

Sabres go on power play

Josh Anderson slashes Zach Benson after a turnover.

Third period underway

5-3 Sabres. Jakub Dobes still in the Montreal net.

End of second period: Sabres 5, Canadiens 3

Again, this is reminiscent of Game 5 as the road team rallies from a 3-2 deficit for a 5-3 lead after two periods. Zach Benson, Jack Quinn and Konsta Helenius get the goals. That's two goals in two games for Helenius. Buffalo is dominating in shots, 28-15.

Canadiens go on power play

Alex Tuch goes in the penalty box and is robbed on a breakaway after the Sabres kill the penalty.

Sabres score: Buffalo up by two goals

Konsta Helenius scores on a 2-on-1 break. Jason Zucker sets him up. Sabres 5, Canadiens 3

Sabres score: Jack Quinn gives Buffalo lead

He scores on a one-timer on the power play. Not a good goal against by Jakub Dobes. Sabres 4, Canadiens 3

Sabres go on power play

Alexandre Carrier is called for interference.

Canadiens go on power play

Buffalo is called for too many men on the ice. The Sabres kill it off.

Sabres score: Zach Benson ties game

A Bowen Byram shot trickles through Jakub Dobes' pads, and Zach Benson puts in the rebound after he had skated around net. Canadiens 3, Sabres 3

Second period underway

3-2 Montreal, which advances with a win.

End of first period: Canadiens 3, Sabres 2

Game 6 is feeling a lot like Game 5. Back and forth scoring, suspect goaltending, the home team up 3-2 after one period. The difference: Montreal coach Martin St. Louis stayed with goalie Jakub Dobes in Game 5 and he settled down. But Lindy Ruff pulled Alex Lyon in Game 6. He had to. Lyon gave up three goals on four shots. One went off his glove and another went through his legs. Buffalo will need a solid performance from Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who had been pulled in Game 5. Shots are 11-4 Buffalo.

Josh Norris injury update

Norris, who was cut by a high stick earlier in the game, goes to the dressing room for repairs.

Lane Hutson called for embellishment

Josh Norris is called for tripping and Lane Hutson also goes off, so it's 4-on-4.

Sabres score: Jason Zucker pulls Buffalo closer

Josh Norris feeds Jason Zucker in front for a power play goal. It comes during the second half of the double-minor, so teams will go back to full strength. Canadiens 3, Sabres 2

Sabres go on power play

Mike Matheson gets four minutes for high-sticking. Josh Norris.

Canadiens goal: Jake Evans chases Alex Lyon

Jake Evans keeps the puck on a 2-on-1 and his shot beats Alex Lyon five hole. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is in the game as Lyon is replaced after giving up three goals on three shots. Canadiens 3, Sabres 1

Sabres go on power play

Phillip Danault is called for hooking. Jakub Dobes stops Rasmus Dahlin and both are penalized after an exchange.

Canadiens score: Ivan Demidov connects on power play

Ivan Demidov beats Alex Lyon on a one-timer during the power play. That's two goals in two games for Demidov. Canadiens 2, Sabres 1

Canadiens go on power play

Peyton Krebs is called for roughing Alex Newhook.

Canadiens score: Arber Xhekaj ties game

His shot from near the point goes in off Alex Lyon's glove. Not good there for the Sabres goalie. This is starting to look like the fast-scoring start of Game 5. Canadiens 1, Sabres 1

Sabres score: Rasmus Dahlin scores 32 seconds in

The Sabres captain pinches in, makes a great move and beats Jakub Dobes from in close. Sabres 1, Canadiens 0

Game underway

Montreal advances with a win.

Starting goalies

Buffalo's Alex Lyon vs. Montreal's Jakub Dobes

When is Canadiens vs. Sabres Game 6?

Game 6 will be played at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 16.

What channel is Canadiens vs. Sabres Game 6?

Game 6 will be shown on ABC.

Canadiens vs. Sabres Game 6: How to watch, stream

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 8 p.m. ET
• Location: Bell Centre, Montreal
• TV: ABC
• Streaming: Fubo

Canadiens projected lines

Sabres projected lines

Canadiens have losing record at home

Montreal is 2-3 at home during the 2026 playoffs, winning one game in each round.

Sabres strong on the road

The Sabres are 4-1 on the road in the 2026 playoffs, winning all three games in the first round and losing only Game 3 in the second round in Montreal.