Sabres’ Goaltending Issues Resurface in Game 5 Loss, Now Facing Elimination

The Buffalo Sabres entered Game 5 of their second-round Eastern Conference playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens with a golden opportunity. A win would give them a commanding 3-2 series lead and put them one victory away from a conference final appearance. Instead, the Sabres delivered a defensive disaster, falling 6-3 in an ugly, mistake-ridden performance that has resurrected the franchise’s most persistent postseason nightmare: goaltending instability.

Now, facing a 3-2 series deficit, the Sabres head back to Montreal for a must-win Game 6. The questions are loud, the pressure is suffocating, and the netminding situation is once again the central narrative. Let’s break down what went wrong in Game 5, why the goaltending issues are not new, and what Buffalo must do to avoid a heartbreaking elimination.

The Ugly Numbers: How Game 5 Unraveled

For the first 40 minutes, the Sabres looked like a team in control. They entered the third period tied 3-3, having traded goals with a resilient Montreal squad. But the final frame was a catastrophe. Montreal scored three unanswered goals, including two in the final 6:30, to steal the game and the series momentum.

The box score tells a damning story for Buffalo’s goaltending tandem. Starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was pulled after allowing four goals on 21 shots, posting a save percentage of just .810. Backup Devon Levi entered in relief but surrendered two more goals on only 10 shots, finishing with a .800 save percentage. Combined, the Sabres’ netminders posted a .774 save percentage, a number that simply cannot win playoff hockey.

• Game 5 Goals Against: 6 (4 on Luukkonen, 2 on Levi)
• Combined Save Percentage: .774
• High-Danger Chances Allowed: 14 (per Natural Stat Trick)
• Goals Saved Above Expected: -3.2 (worst of any team in the playoffs this round)

It wasn’t just the volume of goals; it was the nature of them. Montreal’s first goal came on a routine wrist shot from the slot that beat Luukkonen glove-side. The third goal was a soft rebound that sat in the crease for an easy tap-in. The fifth goal—a long-range shot from the point that deflected off a Sabres’ stick and trickled through Levi’s pads—was the dagger. These are the kind of goals that deflate a team and energize an opponent.

A Recurring Theme: Sabres’ Goaltending Has Been a Weakness All Season

This Game 5 collapse is not an isolated incident. Throughout the regular season, the Sabres’ goaltending was a glaring vulnerability, ranking 22nd in the NHL in team save percentage (.895). Luukkonen, despite flashes of brilliance, finished with a .902 save percentage and a 3.10 goals-against average—numbers that are below average for a starting playoff goaltender. Levi, the highly-touted rookie, struggled with consistency, posting a .889 save percentage and showing vulnerability on high-volume shots.

In the first round against the New York Rangers, the Sabres survived largely because their offense erupted for 4.2 goals per game, masking defensive lapses. But in this second-round series against Montreal, the Canadiens have exploited the same weaknesses. Montreal’s forecheck has created chaos in front of Buffalo’s net, and the Sabres’ goaltenders have failed to track pucks through traffic or make the timely saves that championship teams require.

Key Stat: In the five games of this series, Sabres goaltenders have a combined .890 save percentage. Montreal’s goaltender, Samuel Montembeault, has posted a .928 save percentage. That difference is the single biggest factor in the 3-2 series deficit.

The Sabres’ defensive system hasn’t helped. Buffalo’s blue line has been prone to costly turnovers—particularly from Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power, who combined for three giveaways in Game 5. But elite goaltending can bail out defensive mistakes. The Sabres have not gotten that luxury.

What Went Wrong in Game 5: Breakdown of the Critical Moments

Let’s dissect the sequence that turned the game. With the score tied 3-3 early in the third period, Montreal’s Nick Suzuki carried the puck into the offensive zone, shielded the puck from a Sabres defender, and fired a wrist shot from the left circle. Luukkonen appeared to have a clear sightline, but the puck sailed over his glove and into the top corner. It was a goal that a starting NHL goaltender must stop in a playoff game.

Minutes later, a failed clearing attempt by Buffalo led to a cycling play in the corner. Montreal’s Cole Caufield found a loose puck in the slot, and his quick release beat Luukkonen low blocker-side. The goal came off a scramble, but Luukkonen was slow to reset his position, leaving the five-hole open.

After Levi entered the game, the Sabres’ defense continued to leak chances. The sixth goal was particularly brutal: a point shot from Montreal’s Mike Matheson that deflected off Sabres forward Dylan Cozens’ stick and fluttered past Levi’s blocker. Levi was caught moving laterally and was unable to adjust to the deflection.

Expert Analysis: “The Sabres’ goaltending is a structural problem,” says former NHL goaltender and current analyst Kevin Weekes. “Luukkonen has the size and athleticism, but he struggles with puck tracking through traffic. Levi is still learning to read NHL shooters. In a playoff series, you need a goaltender who can steal a game. Right now, the Sabres don’t have that.”

The Sabres’ offense, which had been firing on all cylinders earlier in the series, went quiet in the third period. They managed only five shots on goal in the final frame, failing to generate any sustained pressure. When your goaltending is leaking, your offense feels compelled to be perfect—and that pressure often backfires.

Can the Sabres Survive? Predictions for Game 6 and Beyond

The Sabres now face a do-or-die Game 6 in Montreal on Saturday. History is not on their side: teams that take a 3-2 series lead in the NHL playoffs win the series 77.4% of the time. But Buffalo has shown resilience before, rallying from a 2-0 series deficit against the Rangers in the first round.

However, the goaltending question looms large. Head coach Don Granato faces a critical decision: does he stick with Luukkonen, who has been the starter all season, or turn to Levi, who has the higher ceiling but less experience? The safe bet is Luukkonen, but after being pulled in Game 5, his confidence is shaken.

My prediction: The Sabres will start Luukkonen in Game 6, but he will be on a short leash. If he allows an early soft goal, expect Granato to pull the trigger on Levi. The bigger issue is that Montreal has found a formula: crash the net, create chaos, and test the Sabres’ goaltenders early. The Canadiens will continue to target Buffalo’s netminders with high-volume shots and aggressive forechecking.

For the Sabres to win, they need two things: first, a herculean performance from their goaltender—whether it’s Luukkonen or Levi—to steal a game. Second, their top players—Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, and Jeff Skinner—must produce goals. The Sabres have scored only 2.6 goals per game in this series, down from 4.2 in the first round. That drop-off is directly tied to Montreal’s ability to neutralize Buffalo’s transition game.

The X-Factor: The Sabres’ penalty kill, which has been excellent in the playoffs (84.2% success rate), must stay disciplined. Montreal’s power play has been lethal, scoring on 28.6% of their opportunities. If the Sabres take penalties in Game 6, they are likely to lose.

Strong Conclusion: The Defining Moment of Buffalo’s Season

This is the moment that will define the Sabres’ season. After years of rebuilding, Buffalo has finally reached the second round of the playoffs, and they have a chance to prove they belong among the NHL’s elite. But their goaltending issues—a problem that has persisted for months—have resurfaced at the worst possible time.

Game 5 was a brutal reminder that in the NHL playoffs, you are only as strong as your goaltender. The Sabres have two talented but flawed netminders. Now, one of them must rise to the occasion. If they don’t, the series will end in Montreal, and the questions about Buffalo’s goaltending will linger through another long offseason.

But if they do—if Luukkonen or Levi can deliver a 35-save performance in a hostile road environment—the Sabres can force a Game 7 and rewrite the narrative. The talent is there. The system is there. The only missing piece is the one between the pipes.

Saturday night in Montreal will tell us everything. For the Sabres, it’s win or go home. And the goaltending, for better or worse, will decide their fate.

Source: Based on news from ESPN.