The Buffalo Sabres suddenly find themselves under pressure after a frustrating Game 2 loss in which star forward Tage Thompson failed to make his usual impact against a surging Montreal Canadiens team.

The Canadiens have not lost consecutive games in nearly two months, and the growth they've shown in that time is shining through now.

Let's think back to when the Montréal Canadiens stunned many around the league by making the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season. They managed to do so thanks to their young players and Samuel Montembeault's play in goal.

Dobes showed just that in Game 2, when he made 28 saves and became the third rookie goalie in Canadiens history since 1986 with at least five playoff wins, joining such names as Patrick Roy and Carey Price. He also has six career postseason victories, tied with Gerry McNeil for seventh most by a rookie on Montreal's all-time list.

Three Habs finalists: Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Ivan Demidov are among the 2026 NHL award finalists, highlighting Montreal’s breakout season. Suzuki’s Selke edge: Suzuki’s 101-point season and strong two-way play make him the likely favourite ...

The Montreal Canadiens tied their second-round NHL playoff series against the Buffalo Sabres with a commanding 5-1 win in Game 2 on Friday night. However, one of the game’s most discussed moments had little to do with the scoreboard.