Montreal scores six against Buffalo, takes lead in NHL playoff series
In Game 5 of the series, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Buffalo Sabres on the road 6-3. Russian forward Ivan Demidov scored a brace for the winners, and the series now stands at 3-2.
Main Event
The Montreal Canadiens earned a dominant road victory over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 5 of the second-round Eastern Conference playoff series. The game, played on May 14, 2026, at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, ended 6-3 in favor of the Canadian club. The star of the match was Russian forward Ivan Demidov, who scored his first career Stanley Cup goal and added an assist, helping his team take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Details and Statistics
The first period was incredibly productive, featuring five goals. Sabres forward Jason Zucker opened the scoring just two minutes in, but Montreal quickly responded with a goal from Cole Caufield. A minute later, Josh Doan put the hosts ahead again, only for Alexander Texier to tie it up almost instantly. Finnish Buffalo forward Konsta Helenius capped off the first-period shootout with a power-play goal, making it 3-2 at the first intermission.
The second period was dominated by the visitors. The Canadiens tightened their defense and systematically dismantled Buffalo's offensive setups. At the 28-minute mark, Josh Anderson tied the game, and then Jake Evans and Nick Suzuki scored within a minute and a half of each other, beating Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and forcing the Sabres' coaching staff to pull their goaltender in favor of Alex Lyon.
The game was decided in the third period. At 44 minutes, Ivan Demidov converted a power play, finishing a pass from Juraj Slafkovsky to make it 6-3. For the 20-year-old Russian, this was his first career goal in the Stanley Cup playoffs—after 17 previous playoff games where he had only recorded assists. In addition to the goal, Demidov earned an assist on Jake Evans' game-winner and was named the third star of the game.
Slovak forward Juraj Slafkovsky and Montreal captain Nick Suzuki each recorded three points, making significant contributions to the win. Goaltender Jakub Dobeš stopped 33 of 36 shots, showing steady play between the pipes. Faceoff statistics also deserve mention: center Phillip Danault won 14 of 18 draws, allowing the Canadiens to control the game's tempo in key moments.
Context and Significance
The Buffalo-Montreal matchup is one of the most intense in the current second round. Both teams entered the series with impressive defensive numbers: the Sabres allowed an average of 2.0 goals per game, the Canadiens 2.1. However, Game 5 completely shattered their reputations as defensive strongholds, turning into a nine-goal offensive showcase.
For Buffalo, this game was a painful reminder of playoff inconsistency. The team, which won the Atlantic Division in the regular season and defeated Boston in the first round (4-2), faltered at a critical moment. After a confident start in Game 5, the hosts allowed four unanswered goals and now face elimination. The goaltending change—replacing Luukkonen with Lyon—failed to produce the desired effect.
As for Demidov, his first Stanley Cup goal was not just a personal milestone but also a symbol of perseverance. The young forward, who changed the tape color on his stick from white to black and back during the series, finally broke his goal-scoring drought. "I just kept trying my hardest. When I scored, I felt relief," the forward admitted after the game. Head coach Martin St. Louis praised his player's performance: "I felt he would be at his best today. You could see Ivan was improving his game, and the goal was just a matter of time."
What's Next / Next Game Preview
Game 6 of the series will take place on May 16 in Montreal at the Bell Centre. The Canadiens have a great opportunity to close out the series on home ice with the support of their fans. A win would send Montreal to the Eastern Conference Final—a feat the club hasn't achieved since 2021, when they reached the Stanley Cup Final.
For Buffalo, the upcoming game is a must-win. The team hasn't been in the playoffs since 2011 and hasn't reached the conference final since 2007. A loss in Game 6 would end their most successful season in a decade and a half. The Sabres' coaching staff must find a way to stop Montreal's offensive firepower, which has looked dangerously effective in recent games.
Notably, Montreal enters the match with excellent morale and a psychological edge. The team has won two straight games, and Demidov's long-awaited goal has relieved the pressure surrounding the young Russian. If the Canadiens continue to play the same way—with an emphasis on fast counterattacks and efficient power-play execution—the series could be decided as early as Saturday.
— Editorial Team
