The Buffalo Sabres lost to the Montreal Canadiens 6-2 in Game 3 of their second-round playoff series at Bell Centre on May 11. The Canadiens now lead the series two games to one, with Game 4 scheduled for Tuesday in Montreal.
Tage Thompson gave the Sabres an early lead by scoring just 53 seconds into the game. However, Montreal responded with four consecutive goals, including power-play scores from Juraj Slafkovsky and Cole Caufield in the second period. Lane Hutson assisted twice during that stretch.
Rasmus Dahlin scored a power-play goal late in the second period to narrow Buffalo’s deficit, but Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes stopped several chances in the third period to maintain his team’s advantage. Kirby Dach added a fifth goal for Montreal midway through the final frame, and Alex Newhook scored an empty-netter late.
Alex Lyon made 31 saves for Buffalo, including several point-blank stops early before Newhook tied the game late in the first period. This marks the first time this postseason that Buffalo trails a series; they had previously gone undefeated on the road against Boston in Round One.
Game statistics show Thompson and Dahlin each contributed goals for Buffalo while Newhook led Montreal with two goals. The teams will meet again Tuesday night as coverage airs nationally on ESPN and locally on WGR 550 radio.
