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Buffalo Sabres

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Sabres Push Forward: Ruff Re-signs, Tuch’s Future in Question After Breakout Season
sports5 days ago

Sabres Push Forward: Ruff Re-signs, Tuch’s Future in Question After Breakout Season

Buffalo’s 2025-26 playoff run ended in a Game 7 loss to Montreal, but the Sabres earned their first playoff berth in 14 years and finished with a franchise-best stretch after Jan 1. Head coach Lindy Ruff earned a two-year extension, while the club weighs re-signing pending UFA Alex Tuch amid about $12.9M in cap space and key offseason decisions on young players like Benson, Byram and Krebs, all as injuries and playoff miscues shape the plan for next season.

Newhook's OT magic sends Canadiens past Sabres in Game 7, into East Final
sports6 days ago

Newhook's OT magic sends Canadiens past Sabres in Game 7, into East Final

Alex Newhook scored his second Game 7-winning goal of the postseason 11:22 into overtime to lift the Montreal Canadiens to a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres and advance to the Eastern Conference finals against the Hurricanes. Newhook also snapped a 1-1 tie 11:07 into the third; Phillip Danault and Zachary Bolduc added goals for Montreal, while Rasmus Dahlin forced OT with a late third-period goal. Jakub Dobes stopped 37 shots for Montreal, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 22 saves for Buffalo. The Sabres, who had a breakout season and won the Atlantic Division, head into the offseason; Montreal continues its Cup pursuit as it faces a well-rested Carolina squad.

Newhook OT Winner Sends Canadiens to East Finals
sports7 days ago

Newhook OT Winner Sends Canadiens to East Finals

Alex Newhook scored 11:22 into overtime to lift the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 7, propelling Montreal to the Eastern Conference finals against the Hurricanes; Montreal erased an early 2-0 deficit behind solid goaltending from Jakub Dobeš, while Buffalo's Rasmus Dahlin starred with the tying goal in the third before the Sabres couldn't finish on home ice.

Canadiens seize momentum, derail Sabres in Game 5
sports10 days ago

Canadiens seize momentum, derail Sabres in Game 5

Buffalo opened with a 3-2 lead after the first period, but Montreal answered with five straight goals to pull away and win 6-3 in Game 5. The Sabres' struggles in the faceoff circle, particularly in the second period, allowed the Canadiens to control play, and Tage Thompson added a costly cross-check penalty. Luukkonen was pulled to start the third period in favor of Alex Lyon, and Buffalo heads to Game 6 with Lyon likely to start again as they try to extend the series.

Ruff bets on rest, not rehearsal, as Sabres face elimination in Montreal
sports10 days ago

Ruff bets on rest, not rehearsal, as Sabres face elimination in Montreal

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff skipped Friday practice and sent players to meet at the airport for a must-win Game 6 in Montreal, a high-risk move aimed at keeping pressure off and avoiding panic. With Montreal having controlled much of the series and top forwards struggling, Ruff is expected to shuffle lines (notably deploying Benson/Helenius/Doan and other middle-six tweaks) while Alex Lyon is anticipated to start in goal as Buffalo hunts for a spark and a path to survival.

Dobes Shines as Canadiens Rally in Buffalo to Take 3-2 Series Edge
sports11 days ago

Dobes Shines as Canadiens Rally in Buffalo to Take 3-2 Series Edge

Montreal beat Buffalo 6-3 in Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead and keep the possibility of a home-clinching game alive. Rookie Jakub Dobeš overcame a rough start to stop 32 of 35, steadying the Habs as they struck for three goals in the second period. The Suzuki–Caufield–Slafkovský line finally supplied five-on-five offense, with Caufield scoring and Slafkovský collecting three assists, while Demidov and Evans added goals. Buffalo shuffled between Luukkonen and Lyon, with Lyon likely to start Game 6; Buffalo’s top line has been quiet, giving Montreal’s hot line the edge and forcing the Sabres to respond to avoid elimination.

Benson’s Birthday Goal Lifts Sabres to 3-2 Win, Series Tied 2-2
sports13 days ago

Benson’s Birthday Goal Lifts Sabres to 3-2 Win, Series Tied 2-2

Zach Benson scored the deciding goal on a third-period power play to lift the Buffalo Sabres to a 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 4, tying the second-round series at 2-2 and sending it back to Buffalo for Game 5. Benson, celebrating his 21st birthday, redirected a skate-pass and beat Jakub Dobes with 15:19 left; Doan added two assists to extend a five-game playoff helper streak, while Mattias Samuelsson and Tage Thompson also scored for Buffalo. The Sabres shuffled lines, leaned on a 6-for-7 penalty kill and Luukkonen in net, and withstood a lengthy first-period video-review delay that briefly gave Montreal a lead.

Sabres shake up Game 4 lineup with Helenius debut and Schenn addition
sports14 days ago

Sabres shake up Game 4 lineup with Helenius debut and Schenn addition

Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff is reportedly reshuffling for Game 4 against Montreal, with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen likely starting in goal after Alex Lyon's run and rookie Konsta Helenius possibly making his NHL playoff debut; on defense, Luke Schenn appears set to replace Logan Stanley and bring playoff experience and a tougher presence, while Sam Carrick is available after returning from injury. Ruff hasn’t formally confirmed all changes yet, but the moves aim to address defensive lapses and add depth and grit.

Caufield's timely goal fuels Canadiens as Aussie fans cheer
sports15 days ago

Caufield's timely goal fuels Canadiens as Aussie fans cheer

Cole Caufield snapped his playoff scoring funk by scoring the Canadiens’ go-ahead goal in the second period of Montreal’s 6-2 win over Buffalo in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Second Round, giving Montreal a 2-1 series lead; the moment was amplified by visiting Australian fans Perry Linton and Elisa Verdy, who were brought to Montreal after social-media hooks, with Air Canada paying their travel and the Canadiens providing tickets, underscoring a feel-good subplot amid the playoff push.

Newhook fuels Canadiens' 5-1 win in Buffalo to even series
sports17 days ago

Newhook fuels Canadiens' 5-1 win in Buffalo to even series

Montreal bounced back from Game 1 with a 5-1 road win in Buffalo to even the series at 1-1. Alex Newhook scored twice early, with Mike Matheson adding a third and Jakub Dobeš turning in 29 saves. Zach Benson briefly sparked Buffalo with a late-second-period goal, but Alexandre Carrier and Nick Suzuki capped the win in the third. Montreal dominated five-on-five play and won the faceoff battle 57-43, while Buffalo’s power play again stalled. Ruff indicated the top Buffalo unit’s struggles and hinted at potential goalie shuffling after Lyon’s off night, as well as the possible return of Sam Carrick to boost the draw.

Sabres' depth and speed test Canadiens as series shifts to Buffalo
sports18 days ago

Sabres' depth and speed test Canadiens as series shifts to Buffalo

Montreal coach Martin St. Louis cautioned that Buffalo’s deep, up-tempo roster and momentum make them dangerous, so the Canadiens must limit Buffalo’s control periods as the series moves to Buffalo for Game 2; the Sabres’ strong bottom lines and improved defense have been key in their playoff push and could signal a deeper threat if that production continues.

Dahlin Named Norris Finalist as Sabres Chase Historic First
sports19 days ago

Dahlin Named Norris Finalist as Sabres Chase Historic First

Rasmus Dahlin was named a Norris Trophy finalist (and a Masterton finalist) after a career-best 74-point season that helped Buffalo win the Atlantic Division and reach the playoffs for the first time since 2011. He led in hits and 5-on-5 puck battles, earned praise for his two-way game, and balanced on-ice excellence with his fiancée’s emergency heart transplant recovery, underscoring his perseverance and impact on the Sabres.

Eastern Showdown: Canadiens–Sabres Set for Tight Second Round
sports21 days ago

Eastern Showdown: Canadiens–Sabres Set for Tight Second Round

Buffalo, the Atlantic Division’s No. 1 seed, hosts Montreal in the Eastern Conference Second Round after beating Boston; Buffalo leans on scorers like Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson with goalie Alex Lyon, while Montreal counters with Jakub Dobes and rising defenseman Lane Hutson. Montreal owns a playoff-face-off edge (55.6%), and Buffalo’s power play was 4.2% in Round 1 (though it showed improvement as the series progressed). Expect a tight, pace‑driven series decided by goaltending and puck battles, with Game 1 in Buffalo setting the tone.