Canadiens Edge Sabres in Shootout After Blowing Two-Goal Lead

Key points

• Montreal Canadiens won 4-3 in a shootout against the Buffalo Sabres on October 13, 2026, at Bell Centre.
• Zachary Bolduc scored the winning goal in the shootout after Buffalo erased a two-goal deficit in the third period.
• Jacob Fowler made 14 saves for Montreal, stopping the final shot in regulation to force overtime.
• Buffalo played without captain Rasmus Dahlin, who suffered an upper-body injury in a previous game against Florida.
• Olen Zellweger scored two goals for Buffalo, while Lane Hutson and Cole Caufield recorded a goal and assist each for Montreal.

Background

This matchup marked the first meeting between the Sabres and Canadiens since the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, where Montreal eliminated Buffalo in seven games. The Sabres had recently won 5-3 against the Florida Panthers, while Montreal secured a 1-0 shootout victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Both teams faced injury challenges, with Buffalo missing Dahlin and Montreal missing forward Ivan Demidov and defenseman Mike Matheson.

How outlets are covering it

NHL.com emphasized the Sabres’ quick turnaround and the absence of captain Rasmus Dahlin, noting that defenseman Dennis Gilbert made his NHL debut. Sportsnet.ca highlighted the dramatic nature of the game, focusing on Montreal blowing a two-goal lead and the shootout winner. Die by the Blade analyzed the strategic implications of Dahlin’s absence, suggesting Owen Power would need to assume greater defensive and power-play responsibilities. All sources agreed on the final score and the significance of the rivalry, but differed in emphasis: NHL.com focused on lineup changes, Sportsnet.ca on the game’s momentum swings, and Die by the Blade on long-term team depth and special teams struggles.

Why it matters

The result impacts both teams’ standings in the Atlantic Division, with Montreal improving to 3-2-1 and Buffalo falling to 3-3-1. The Sabres’ inconsistent special teams performance and reliance on key players like Owen Power in Dahlin’s absence raise questions about their depth. Montreal’s ability to close out games despite a slow power play start suggests resilience, while the Sabres’ struggle to maintain leads indicates defensive vulnerabilities. This game sets the tone for a rematch on October 17 and Buffalo’s upcoming trip to Toronto.

What to watch

The Sabres will face the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 15, while the Canadiens will play the Washington Capitals on October 14. Both teams are expected to address injury updates, particularly regarding Dahlin’s return timeline and Montreal’s goaltending rotation, as Jakub Dobes is set to return to the lineup.