BUFFALO, N.Y. — In a dramatic turnaround that highlighted the resilience of youth and coaching faith, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Buffalo Sabres 6-3 in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series on Thursday night, taking a commanding 3-2 lead. Rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes, a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, faced early adversity by allowing three goals on the first four shots he saw, but he rebounded spectacularly, stopping the next 32 shots to secure the victory. The win moves the Canadiens, the youngest team in the playoffs for the second consecutive year, one victory away from advancing to the Eastern Conference final against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The game at KeyBank Center unfolded with high intensity from the opening faceoff, as both teams traded goals in a penalty-free first period that saw five total tallies. The Sabres struck first, capitalizing on Dobes' shaky start, but the Canadiens responded with goals from Cole Caufield and Alexandre Texier to trail 3-2 midway through the opening frame. Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis opted to keep Dobes in net despite the rough beginning, a decision credited to input from goaltending coach Marco Marciano.
"It was Marco who told me after the third goal to stick with him," St. Louis told reporters in Buffalo after the game. This faith paid dividends, as Dobes settled in and anchored the defense while the Canadiens mounted a comeback. The team, which has now won five of seven road playoff games this postseason—including three in their first-round series victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning—erased the deficit with four unanswered goals.
St. Louis, known for his player-centric approach, emphasized his philosophy post-game. "I will never give up on a player unless that player gives up on himself," he said, a mantra that resonated in Dobes' performance. The 23-year-old rookie, who improved his playoff record to 7-5 with a 2.28 goals-against average and .914 save percentage, has now helped the Canadiens to a perfect 5-0 record following a loss in the playoffs.
The second period proved pivotal, with Josh Anderson tying the game at 3-3 early on, marking his third goal of the postseason. Juraj Slafkovsky drew the first penalty of the night for high-sticking Sabres forward Josh Doan at 12:51, but Buffalo failed to convert on the power play. Momentum shifted decisively when Jake Evans scored his first playoff goal at 16:15, giving Montreal its first lead. Just over a minute later, Doan was penalized for cross-checking Evans in the face, and Nick Suzuki capitalized 10 seconds into the advantage, extending the lead to 5-3.
Suzuki, who finished with a goal and two assists, now leads the Canadiens with 4 goals and 8 assists for 12 points in 12 playoff games. Caufield's goal was his fourth of the playoffs and first at even strength, continuing a three-game goal streak. Defenseman Lane Hutson contributed two assists, bringing his playoff totals to 2 goals and 10 assists in 12 games. For rookie Ivan Demidov, the night capped with his first NHL playoff goal on a power play in the third period, following a cross-checking penalty on Sabres star Rasmus Dahlin at 2:09.
Marty? Demi #GoHabsGo
The Canadiens converted 2 of 2 power-play opportunities, a stark improvement from their 1-for-7 performance in Game 4, while the Sabres went 0-for-2. Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff, who had criticized the Canadiens for embellishing to draw penalties after the 4-2 loss in Game 4 at Bell Centre, faced a different narrative. In Game 5, the referees—Chris Rooney and Graham Skilliter—called no penalties in the first period, allowing a physical, entertaining start with the Sabres holding a 3-2 edge.
St. Louis addressed Ruff's earlier complaints during Thursday morning media availability in Buffalo. When asked about the Sabres coach's remarks on players falling too easily, St. Louis responded, "I feel like if I’m relying on the refs for me to win the series, I’m spending my energy in the wrong place." He had previously questioned on Wednesday whether Ruff's critique applied to his own team as well. Ruff, meanwhile, pulled goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen after five goals on 23 shots through two periods; backup Alex Lyon allowed one goal on three shots in the third.
The series context adds layers to the Canadiens' surge. After dropping Game 4 on Tuesday in Montreal—where Buffalo went 2-for-4 on the power play—the Canadiens have rebounded strongly on the road. St. Louis praised his team's road play ahead of Game 5, saying, “I’ve liked the way our team’s played on the road all year. I don’t think we’re preoccupied home or away. We have a brand we’re trying to play and we go.” This approach has fueled their 5-2 road record in the playoffs, building on a seven-game first-round triumph over the Lightning that included three wins in Tampa.
Beyond the ice action, St. Louis reflected on the playoff coaching experience, likening it to a battlefield. “You feel you’re on the battlefield and you’re trying to win this battle against this team and it takes four wins,” he said Thursday morning. “You get knocked down and the process of getting back up. To me, it’s like a boxing match almost where the round’s over, you talk about it. You might have won the round, lost the round. You kind of make subtle adjustments, you get back and you show some courage.” He added, “To me, just being inside that battlefield … I know I’m not on the ice, but you’re in there with them. It’s pretty fun.”
The Sabres, now facing elimination, must regroup for Game 6 on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET at Bell Centre, broadcast on CBC, Sportsnet, and TVA Sports. A potential Game 7 looms Monday night back in Buffalo. For Ruff, complaints about officiating may give way to tactical adjustments, as his team allowed several penalties in Game 4 and repeated some miscues in Game 5. Konsta Helenius scored his first playoff goal for Buffalo earlier in the game, but it wasn't enough to stem Montreal's rally.
4 buts sans réplique après avoir tiré de l'arrière? 4 unanswered goals after trailing #GoHabsGo
Montreal's depth shone through, with contributions from veterans and rookies alike. Demidov's goal earned him the unofficial "wolf hat" from teammates, symbolizing the team's spirited culture. As the Canadiens eye the conference final, their blend of young talent and St. Louis' unwavering support has positioned them as a formidable underdog. Dobes' redemption arc, in particular, underscores the rewards of perseverance in the high-stakes NHL postseason.
With the series shifting back to Montreal, the Bell Centre faithful will provide a boost, but the Canadiens' road prowess suggests they carry momentum regardless of venue. St. Louis' decision to trust Dobes not only salvaged the game but reinforced a team ethos of resilience. As the playoffs progress, this victory could mark a turning point for the franchise, echoing their unexpected run as the league's youngest squad.