The Buffalo Sabres’ season hit a new low Tuesday night, as the Montreal Canadiens handed them a crushing 6-1 defeat at the Bell Centre. This latest debacle extended Buffalo’s winless streak to 11 games (0-8-3) and dropped the team to last place in the Eastern Conference.
What began with a speech from owner Terry Pegula in an attempt to rally his struggling squad ended with one of the most disheartening performances in franchise history. Whatever motivational energy Pegula intended to spark never materialized, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning the future of the team’s roster and management.
A Nightmare Start
Any hopes of a turnaround were dashed just 19 seconds into the game. Montreal’s Joel Armia capitalized on a fortuitous bounce off the end boards, depositing the puck past a sprawling Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to give the Canadiens an early lead. From there, the Sabres spiraled.
Buffalo managed just three shots in the first period, overwhelmed by Montreal’s relentless attack. The Canadiens outshot the Sabres 11-3 in the frame, and their dominance extended to every aspect of play. Patrik Laine struck on the power play midway through the period, blasting a one-timer past Luukkonen to double Montreal’s lead. The Sabres’ defensive coverage was nonexistent, with repeated breakdowns leaving Luukkonen to fend for himself.
A Brief Spark Snuffed Out
Dylan Cozens offered a glimmer of hope early in the second period, snapping a shot from the high slot to cut the deficit to 2-1. The goal marked Buffalo’s first legitimate offensive push of the game, but it would be the team’s last.
Montreal responded with a barrage of goals, fueled by Buffalo’s mounting penalties. Juraj Slafkovsky banked a shot off Luukkonen’s back from behind the goal line just two minutes after Cozens’ tally, regaining the Canadiens’ two-goal cushion. The Sabres then imploded under penalty trouble, allowing two 5-on-3 goals to Laine within three minutes. Laine’s hat-trick-sealing blast at 10:55 brought a rain of hats from the Montreal faithful and left Buffalo reeling.
Josh Anderson capped the second period with a tap-in goal to extend the Canadiens’ lead to 6-1.
Special Teams Disaster
The Canadiens’ power play was lethal, converting three times in the first 31 minutes. In contrast, Buffalo’s power play continued to sputter, failing to convert on its own 5-on-3 opportunity in the third period. The Sabres have now managed just three power-play goals in their last 14 games, a glaring issue for a team desperate for offense.
Goaltending Woes and Defensive Breakdowns
Luukkonen struggled in net, allowing six goals on 21 shots before being pulled after two periods. While some of the goals were the result of defensive lapses, including multiple turnovers and poor coverage in front of the net, Luukkonen’s inability to make key saves further compounded Buffalo’s misery. James Reimer replaced Luukkonen for the third period, stopping all six shots he faced, though the damage was already done.
Watch: Condensed Game Highlights
What’s Next for Buffalo?
This loss, coupled with their plummet to 30th overall in the NHL standings, raises significant questions about the Sabres’ direction. General Manager Kevyn Adams reportedly received assurance from ownership about his job security earlier this week, but it’s hard to imagine the roster escaping major shakeups after such a collapse.
The Sabres’ next challenge comes Friday night, as they return to KeyBank Center to face the Toronto Maple Leafs. With Toronto’s sizable fanbase likely to invade Buffalo’s home arena, the Sabres will face yet another uphill battle. For Buffalo’s loyal fans, patience is running thin. If meaningful changes aren’t made soon, the KeyBank Center could feel increasingly empty in the months to come.
Final Thoughts
The Sabres’ performance in Montreal was nothing short of disastrous. Their inability to respond to adversity, combined with persistent special teams failures and defensive miscues, leaves little room for optimism. The pressure is mounting for Adams and the rest of the organization to make critical adjustments. Whether they’ll seize the opportunity to salvage a rapidly sinking season remains to be seen.