Sabres vs. Canadiens live score, updates, highlights from Game 1 of NHL playoffs Eastern Conference semifinals

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The horn has sounded. The ice has been cut. And after a 19-year wait, the Buffalo Sabres are finally back on the stage of the second round. The highly anticipated NHL Eastern Conference playoff series between the Buffalo Sabres and the Montreal Canadiens has arrived at the KeyBank Center on Wednesday night. It’s one of those series that looks right off the bat like it could last seven games, but it has to start with Game 1. The Sabres are playing in their first second-round playoff game in 19 years. The Canadiens, who have won more Stanley Cups than any team in NHL history, are chasing their first Cup since 1993.

This is not just a hockey game. It is a collision of narratives. On one side, you have a Buffalo squad that has shed its skin as a perennial underdog, riding a wave of youthful exuberance and a goaltender who has turned into a playoff deity. On the other, you have the Montreal Canadiens, a franchise that breathes playoff lore, desperate to end a three-decade drought. The atmosphere inside KeyBank Center is electric, with the “Let’s Go Buffalo” chants drowning out the “Olé” songs from the traveling Habs faithful. Below, we break down the live action, key updates, and expert analysis from this monumental Game 1.

First Period: Sabres Strike First with Speed and Grit

The opening frame was a masterclass in playoff intensity. The Sabres came out flying, using their speed to disrupt Montreal’s structured defensive zone. It took less than five minutes for Buffalo to draw first blood. Rasmus Dahlin, the Sabres’ star defenseman, pinched hard from the blue line and fired a wrister through traffic that beat Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault glove-side. The crowd erupted, and the Sabres had the 1-0 lead they desperately wanted.

Montreal responded with composure. The Canadiens’ top line, led by Nick Suzuki, began to cycle the puck deep, grinding down the Sabres’ defense. However, Buffalo’s penalty kill, which ranked in the top five during the regular season, was tested twice in the period and stood tall. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made a spectacular toe save on a one-timer from Cole Caufield that kept the scoreboard in Buffalo’s favor.

• Key Moment: Dahlin’s goal at 4:32 of the first period.
• Shot Count: Sabres 12, Canadiens 9.
• Hit Count: Sabres 15, Canadiens 11.
• Analysis: The Sabres are winning the battles along the boards, but Montreal is controlling the neutral zone exits.

Second Period: Canadiens Answer, Then Special Teams Take Over

The second period was a rollercoaster. Montreal tied the game early when Mike Matheson walked the blue line and let a slap shot go that deflected off a Sabres’ stick and past Luukkonen. The goal silenced the crowd momentarily, but Buffalo did not fold. The Sabres’ power play, which had been inconsistent in the first round, came alive.

With Juraj Slafkovsky in the box for hooking, Buffalo’s top unit went to work. Tage Thompson, the 6-foot-7 center who has become a playoff star, set up behind the net and fed Alex Tuch in the slot. Tuch’s one-timer was a rocket, beating Montembeault high blocker side. The Sabres regained the lead, 2-1. But the Canadiens are not a team that quits. With just under two minutes left in the period, Brendan Gallagher crashed the net and poked home a loose puck after a scramble, tying the game 2-2 heading into the intermission.

Expert Analysis: This period exposed a critical weakness for Buffalo: defensive zone coverage in front of their own net. The Canadiens are a team that thrives on chaos and rebounds. If the Sabres do not clear the crease, Montreal will bury chances. Conversely, Buffalo’s power play looks dangerous. If they can draw more penalties, they will control the game.

Third Period: Goaltending Duel and Overtime Looms

The third period was a war of attrition. Both teams tightened up defensively, and the goaltenders stole the show. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made a series of saves that left even the Canadiens’ bench shaking their heads. He stopped Suzuki on a breakaway, then robbed Josh Anderson with a lightning-fast glove save on a rebound. At the other end, Montembeault matched him, stoning Thompson on a partial break and gloving down a Jeff Skinner deflection that seemed destined for the back of the net.

With five minutes remaining, the Sabres had a golden opportunity. Dylan Cozens drew a high-sticking penalty, putting Buffalo on the power play for the third time. The Sabres moved the puck beautifully, but Montembeault made a sprawling save on a Owen Power one-timer from the point. The penalty expired, and the game remained tied 2-2. The final minutes were frantic, with both teams trading rushes, but no one could break the deadlock. We are headed to overtime in Game 1.

Overtime Predictions and Final Analysis

Overtime in the playoffs is a different animal. It is sudden death, and one mistake ends the game. Based on the flow of regulation, here are three bold predictions for the extra frame:

• Prediction 1: The Sabres will win on a rush chance. Buffalo’s speed has been a problem for Montreal’s slower defensemen all night. Look for Zach Benson or JJ Peterka to use their wheels to create a 2-on-1.
• Prediction 2: A defenseman will be the hero. Both teams are playing conservatively, which opens up the blue line. Rasmus Dahlin or Mike Matheson will jump into the play and score.
• Prediction 3: The goaltending battle will continue. If the game reaches a second overtime, fatigue will set in, and a fluky bounce will decide it. Luukkonen has been the better goalie tonight, but Montembeault has made the timely saves.

Final Analysis: This Game 1 has been everything fans hoped for. The Sabres have shown they belong on this stage, matching the Canadiens’ physicality and skill. However, Montreal’s experience in tight games is evident. They do not panic. For Buffalo to win this series, they need to find a way to score first in the third period and protect the house. For Montreal, they must continue to clog the middle of the ice and force Buffalo to the perimeter.

Conclusion: A Series That Will Define a Generation

As the puck drops for overtime, one thing is clear: this Sabres vs. Canadiens series is going to be a classic. The Sabres are playing in their first second-round playoff game in 19 years, and they are not intimidated. The Canadiens, who have won more Stanley Cups than any team in NHL history, are chasing their first Cup since 1993, and they look hungry. The winner of this Game 1 will have a massive psychological advantage, but the loser will have plenty of time to adjust.

For the fans in Buffalo, this is a moment to savor. For the fans in Montreal, this is a reminder of their glorious past. The Eastern Conference semifinals are here, and the hockey is breathtaking. Stay tuned for the final result, but know this: no matter who wins, this series is just getting started. The Sabres vs. Canadiens live score, updates, highlights from Game 1 of NHL playoffs Eastern Conference semifinals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.