The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Buffalo Sabres 6-2 on home ice at the Bell Centre, taking a 2-1 series lead in their second-round playoff matchup.
After struggling to beat Sabres goalie Alex Lyon on eight quality chances in the first period, the Canadiens finally broke through. Jake Evans created a rebound that Alex Newhook buried for his fourth goal of the playoffs at 15:31 of the opening frame.
The floodgates opened in the second period. Lane Hutson orchestrated the offense, setting up Cole Caufield and then finding Juraj Slafkovsky on the power play. Zachary Bolduc also scored to make it 4-1.
Buffalo answered with a push in the third period, but Jakub Dobes held firm in net. The Canadiens then capitalized on Sabres defensive lapses, with Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook adding empty-net goals.
The officiating of Garrett Rank and Kyle Rehman drew criticism for questionable calls, including a double-minor assessed to Bolduc after he was punched by three Sabres without retaliation.