Game 4 is here and the Sabres need a response in Montreal
TL;DR
The Buffalo Sabres face a crucial Game 4 against the Montreal Canadiens, trailing 2-1 in the series. After a strong start in Game 3, the Sabres struggled defensively, leading to a 6-2 loss.
Key points
- Sabres are down 2-1 in the series against Canadiens
- Game 4 takes place on Tuesday in Montreal
- Sabres won Game 1 but lost Games 2 and 3
- Defensive issues plagued the Sabres in Game 3
- Sabres scored first in Game 3 but could not maintain momentum
Game 4 is here and the Sabres need a response in Montreal
The Buffalo Sabres know they have not been at the level that helped them get to the top of the Atlantic Division in the regular season.
After winning Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Montreal Canadiens, the Sabres fell 5-1 in Game 2 before a 6-2 setback in Game 3 on Sunday. They now find themselves down 2-1 in the best-of-seven set heading into Game 4 on Tuesday in Montreal.
Buffalo opened the scoring 53 seconds into Game 3, quieting a raucous crowd in Montreal. But poor puck decisions and straying away from their tight defensive structure against the Canadiens' speedy and dynamic offense resulted in the Sabres chasing the game the rest of the night.
"Very much self-inflicted. It's all on our decisions and our will and our compete," winger Alex Tuch said. "We've got to look ourselves in the mirror and get back to the game we know we can play and the game that's been successful for us."
Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres takes down Kaiden Guhle of the Montréal Canadiens during the second period in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on May 10, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Sabres lost, 6-2.
Buffalo Sabres goalie Alex Lyon stops Montreal Canadiens forward Nick Suzuki (14) during the first period in game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. Sabres lost, 6-2.
Joe Veleno of the Montreal Canadiens and Conor Timmins of the Buffalo Sabres get into an altercation during the third period in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre on May 10, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Sabres lost, 6-2.
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson checks Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin into the boards during the first period in game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. Sabres lost, 6-2.
Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres hooks Alex Newhook of the Montréal Canadiens on an empty net during the third period in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on May 10, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Sabres lost, 6-2.
Kaiden Guhle of the Montreal Canadiens competes for the puck with Jordan Greenway and Beck Malenstyn of the Buffalo Sabres during the first period in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre on May 10, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Sabres lost, 6-2.
Josh Anderson #17 and Jake Evans of the Montreal Canadiens collide with Beck Malenstyn of the Buffalo Sabres during the third period in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre on May 10, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Sabres lost, 6-2.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Logan Stanley checks Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Newhook during the first period in game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. Sabres lost, 6-2.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin celebrates with teammate forward Zach Benson after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period in game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre.
Buffalo Sabres fan and Montreal Canadiens fan during the second period in game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre.
Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Newhook on his way to score an empty net goal and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin defending during the third period in game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre.
Referee Kyle Rehman separates Montreal Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle and Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson (6) during the third period in game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre.
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Sabres overmatched by Canadiens in pivotal Game 3
Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres takes down Kaiden Guhle of the Montréal Canadiens during the second period in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on May 10, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Sabres lost, 6-2.
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Sabres overmatched by Canadiens in pivotal Game 3
Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres takes down Kaiden Guhle of the Montréal Canadiens during the second period in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on May 10, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Sabres lost, 6-2.
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Sabres overmatched by Canadiens in pivotal Game 3
Buffalo Sabres goalie Alex Lyon stops Montreal Canadiens forward Nick Suzuki (14) during the first period in game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. Sabres lost, 6-2.
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Sabres overmatched by Canadiens in pivotal Game 3
Joe Veleno of the Montreal Canadiens and Conor Timmins of the Buffalo Sabres get into an altercation during the third period in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre on May 10, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Sabres lost, 6-2.
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Sabres overmatched by Canadiens in pivotal Game 3
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson checks Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin into the boards during the first period in game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. Sabres lost, 6-2.
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Sabres overmatched by Canadiens in pivotal Game 3
Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres hooks Alex Newhook of the Montréal Canadiens on an empty net during the third period in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on May 10, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Sabres lost, 6-2.
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Sabres overmatched by Canadiens in pivotal Game 3
Kaiden Guhle of the Montreal Canadiens competes for the puck with Jordan Greenway and Beck Malenstyn of the Buffalo Sabres during the first period in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre on May 10, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Sabres lost, 6-2.
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Sabres overmatched by Canadiens in pivotal Game 3
Josh Anderson #17 and Jake Evans of the Montreal Canadiens collide with Beck Malenstyn of the Buffalo Sabres during the third period in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre on May 10, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Sabres lost, 6-2.
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Sabres overmatched by Canadiens in pivotal Game 3
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Logan Stanley checks Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Newhook during the first period in game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. Sabres lost, 6-2.
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Sabres overmatched by Canadiens in pivotal Game 3
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin celebrates with teammate forward Zach Benson after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period in game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre.
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Sabres overmatched by Canadiens in pivotal Game 3
Buffalo Sabres fan and Montreal Canadiens fan during the second period in game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre.
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Sabres overmatched by Canadiens in pivotal Game 3
Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Newhook on his way to score an empty net goal and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin defending during the third period in game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre.
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Sabres overmatched by Canadiens in pivotal Game 3
Referee Kyle Rehman separates Montreal Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle and Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson (6) during the third period in game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre.
Tuch has already begun to face the mirror. The 30-year-old led Buffalo with seven points (four goals, three assists) in the first round against the Boston Bruins but has been held without a point against Montreal.
He's known for his strong two-way play, including an elite ability to strip pucks and force turnovers while also putting the puck in the net. But in Game 3, he looked nothing like that player.
"I don't think we want to forget about that feeling last night. Me personally, I think that was probably -- it's definitely my worst defensive game in the playoffs," Tuch said. "So I'm not going to forget that feeling. But yeah, I think it's only 2-1 in the series. We have to come out flying (Tuesday). No excuses, we've just got to be a lot better."
Meanwhile, the Canadiens are looking for a third straight victory in the series to push the Sabres to the brink of elimination.
Sunday marked the first time in this postseason that Montreal has won consecutive games.
"It's the biggest game for them," Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle said. "They don't want to go down 3-1. I think we just have to keep playing our game. Don't overthink it too much. Not that we were nervous (before), but we might have been playing on our heels a little bit. We've got to play on our toes, keep bringing it to them and keep playing our game. We'll be just fine."
Montreal has been doing just that, and has benefited from some welcome secondary scoring. Forward Alex Newhook has been the biggest contributor on that front, with four of his team-leading five goals coming over the past two games.
"I'm feeling good," Newhook said. "We're getting scoring from everyone. Contributions from everyone. I believe in myself. I'm trying to prove to myself and this team that I can help out and be a part of a winning team. That's the only thing that's on my mind. I believe in what I can be as a player. These big moments are what you play for. I'm just doing what I can to help the team."
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Buffalo Sabres try to even series vs Canadiens in Game 4 tonight
Q&A
What is the current series score between the Sabres and Canadiens?
The Sabres are currently down 2-1 in the best-of-seven series against the Canadiens.
When and where is Game 4 of the Sabres vs Canadiens series?
Game 4 is scheduled for Tuesday in Montreal.
What were the outcomes of the previous games in the Sabres vs Canadiens series?
The Sabres won Game 1, but lost Game 2 with a score of 5-1 and Game 3 with a score of 6-2.
What issues did the Sabres face in Game 3 against the Canadiens?
The Sabres struggled with poor puck decisions and deviating from their defensive strategy, which allowed the Canadiens to dominate the game.
