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Montreal wins barnburner in Buffalo 6-3 to take 3-2 series lead
Nick Suzuki and Jake Evans scored late in the second period as Montreal rallied for a 6-3 win and a 3-2 series lead.
On Thursday, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Buffalo Sabres 6-3 to take a 3-2 lead in their second-round playoff series, with Captain Nick Suzuki and Jake Evans scoring 68 seconds apart late in the second period.
Montreal surged with a three-goal second period, breaking a 3-2 deficit as Evans swept a loose puck past Buffalo goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to secure a 4-3 lead with 3:45 remaining.
Buffalo pulled Luukkonen after two periods, as he allowed five goals on 23 shots; Montreal goaltender Jakub Dobes settled in to finish with 33 saves, preserving the win.
Buffalo's defensive deficiencies remain exposed, having allowed 21 goals to Montreal in this series compared to 12 goals in six games against Boston during their first-round matchup.
Hosting Game 6 on Saturday, the Canadiens sit one win away from reaching the semifinals for the first time since 2021, when the team eventually reached the Stanley Cup Final.