Sabres take Game 1 over Canadiens to open second-round series

Buffalo won the opener, 4-2, and the biggest reason was simple — the Sabres fixed the one thing that looked broken a week ago. Their power play had been a mess against Boston. Then Game 1 against Montreal arrived on Wednesday, May 6, and it suddenly produced two goals. That changed the feel of the series fast. A team that looked scrappy and volatile in Round 1 suddenly looked like it might have another gear. (nhl.com) ### What actually swung this game? Special teams. Buffalo got power-play goals from Bowen Byram and Ryan McLeod, and those came on consecutive opportunities. Josh Doan and Jordan Greenway added the other goals, while Zach Benson chipped in two assists. Montreal stayed close for stretches, but Buffalo kept answering before the Canadiens could really settle the game down. (sportsnet.ca) ### Why is the power play the whole story? Because this unit had been ice-cold. Buffalo finished the regular season on an 0-for-20 skid with the extra man, then went just 1-for-24 in its first-round series. On Wednesday, the Sabres scored twice on the power play for the first time sin(sportsnet.ca)n advantage honestly, the whole series gets wider. (bostonglobe.com) ### Who drove the win at even strength? The depth lines did. Doan and McLeod each had a goal and an assist, and Buffalo’s third and fourth lines gave Montreal problems early. That matters because playoff series usually turn ugly and repetitive. If a team can hurt you beyond its stars, matchup plans s(bostonglobe.com)tate. (nhl.com) ### What did Montreal still do well? The Canadiens were not overwhelmed. Nick Suzuki scored after a strong play from Juraj Slafkovský behind the net, and Montreal kept finding moments where the game looked recoverable. The issue was that this series opener played faster and looser than some of the Cana(nhl.com)eal got chances, but not enough control. (montreal.citynews.ca) ### Why does this feel bigger than one game? Because of where Buffalo is coming from. This was the Sabres’ first second-round game since 2007, and the franchise had not made the playoffs at all since 2011 before this run. So Game 1 was not just a routine opener — it was a test of whether the moment would fe(montreal.citynews.ca)(sportingnews.com) ### What changes for Game 2? Montreal’s penalty kill and Buffalo’s confidence are now tied together. If the Canadiens clean up the discipline and slow the game down, this can still become the kind(sportingnews.com)ffense. (sportsnet.ca) ### So what’s the bottom line? Game 1 did not decide the series. But it did answer the first important question. Buffalo belongs here, and maybe more than that, Buffalo found a weapon at exactly the right time. If that power-play rebound sticks, Montreal is no longer facing a nice surprise story. It is facing a team that just got more dangerous. (nhl.com)