Canadiens edge closer to Conference Final after dramatic Game 5 win
Montreal downs Buffalo 6–3 in Buffalo to take 3–2 series lead; pivotal Game 6 Saturday at Bell Centre
The Montreal Canadiens mounted a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback Thursday night in Buffalo, scoring four unanswered goals to defeat the Sabres 6–3 and seize a 3–2 advantage in their second-round playoff series. Rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes, who got off to a shaky start allowing three goals on his first four shots, steadied himself to lead the charge. Head coach Martin St. Louis's faith in the young goalie paid dividends as Montreal clawed back from a 3–2 deficit midway through the first period. Nick Suzuki, Jake Evans, and Ivan Demidov all found the back of the net as the team executed a textbook playoff comeback. The Canadiens now have a chance to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Final on Saturday night in front of a roaring Bell Centre crowd, just one win away from advancing deeper into the playoffs than they have in years.