Sabres rally past Canadiens 8-3 in Game 6 to force Game 7

Sunday, May 17, 2026Confirmed

Sports Desk

What we know

The Buffalo Sabres stormed back from a 3-1 first-period deficit to beat the Montreal Canadiens 8-3 in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference second-round series Saturday night at Bell Centre, tying the series 3-3 and forcing a decisive Game 7 on Monday in Buffalo.

Captain Rasmus Dahlin had a goal and four assists for five points, Jack Quinn scored twice on the power play, and Tage Thompson added a goal and three assists. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 18 shots after replacing Alex Lyon early. Montreal got goals from Arber Xhekaj, Ivan Demidov and Jake Evans before Buffalo scored seven straight. The winner Monday faces Carolina in the East final.

What's confirmed

AP: Sabres 8, Canadiens 3; Luukkonen relief; Game 7 Monday in Buffalo vs. winner facing Carolina (AP).
NHL.com: Dahlin five points; Quinn two PPG; series tied 3-3 after seven unanswered (NHL.com).
CBS Sports / ESPN: Box score 8-3 final; Buffalo 4-for-6 on power play (CBS/ESPN).
Sportsnet: Thompson four-point night; series shifts to KeyBank Center for Game 7 (Sportsnet).

What's still developing

Goaltending choice for Buffalo after Lyon's early exit in Game 6.
How Montreal resets after blowing a multi-goal home lead.
Matchup implications against a rested Carolina club for the East final.

Sources

AP News — Sabres rally to beat the Canadiens 8-3 to force Game 7 link
NHL.com — Sabres score 7 straight, surge past Canadiens to force Game 7 in East 2nd Round link
CBS Sports — Sabres rally to beat the Canadiens 8-3 to force Game 7 link
ESPN — Sabres 8-3 Canadiens game recap (May 16, 2026) link
Sportsnet — Sabres force Game 7 with decisive win over Canadiens link