Canadiens can advance to Eastern Conference Finals – Montreal

MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens can advance to the NHL Eastern Conference Finals tonight with a win over the Buffalo Sabres.

Montreal holds a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven conference semifinal.

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Montreal Canadiens regain series lead against Buffalo Sabres

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Rookie Ivan Demidov scored his first career goal Thursday to help the Habs beat the Sabers 6-3 in Buffalo, N.Y.

The winner of the series will face the Carolina Hurricanes, who already swept the Philadelphia Flyers from the second round of the playoffs.

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Defenseman Lane Hutson and captain Nick Suzuki lead Montreal’s offense with 12 points each in these playoffs.

Tage Thompson had 11 points for Buffalo.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on May 16, 2026.