NHL Player News

Lyon stopped two of three shots Thursday after replacing Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to begin the third period during the Sabres' 6-3 loss to the Canadiens in Game 5 of their second-round series.

Buffalo out-shot the visitors 20-3 in the final frame as the team desperately tried to get back in the game, but it was Lyon who allowed the only goal in the third period, as he couldn't find an Ivan Demidov shot from the high slot through traffic in front of the net. Over nine playoff outings this year, Lyon sports a 2.25 GAA and .917 save percentage, and with the Sabres' season on the line in Game 6 on Saturday, coach Lindy Ruff might turn back to the 33-year-old between the pipes.

Luukkonen allowed five goals on 23 shots Thursday before being replaced by Alex Lyon to begin the third period during the Sabres' 6-3 loss to the Canadiens in Game 5 of their second-round series.

Buffalo actually took a 3-2 lead into the first intermission, but the team's defensive woes piled up over the final 40 minutes as the game slipped away. Luukkonen wasn't exactly sharp either, however, and he looked shaky on what proved to be the game-winning goal late in the second period -- Ivan Demidov's shot somehow got past him on the short side, and the puck fell into the crease for Jake Evans to poke home. With the Sabres' season on the line and neither of the team's top two goalies playing particularly well, coach Lindy Ruff will have a tough decision to make between the pipes for Game 6 on Saturday. Over four outings this postseason, Luukkonen has a 4.20 GAA and .851 save percentage.

Danault recorded two assists Thursday during the Canadiens' 6-3 win over the Sabres in Game 5 of their second-round series.

The veteran center helped set up tallies by Alexandre Texier in the first period and Josh Anderson in the second. It was Danault's first multi-point performance of the playoffs, and after managing just one assist in the first round against Tampa Bay, he's popped for four assists in five games against Buffalo. He'll look to keep rolling in Game 6 on Saturday as the Habs look to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Demidov scored a power-play goal and added an even-strength assist Thursday during the Canadiens' 6-3 win over the Sabres in Game 5 of their second-round series.

The rookie winger finally potted his first goal of the playoffs after scoring 19 times in 82 games during the regular season, wrapping up the scoring early in the third period by snapping a shot through traffic from the high slot past Alex Lyon. Demidov had just one assist during the first round against the Lightning, but in five games against the Sabres he's come to life with five points. He'll look to extend a three-game point streak in Game 6 on Saturday as the Habs try to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Hutson delivered two assists Thursday, one on the power play, during the Canadiens' 6-3 win over the Sabres in Game 5 of their second-round series.

Both helpers came in the second period as Montreal took control of the game and erased a 3-2 deficit. Hutson has a four-game point streak going heading into Game 6 on Saturday, and through 12 playoff contests he's amassed two goals and 12 points, including one goal and six assists on the power play.

Suzuki scored a power-play goal and added two assists Thursday, one with the man advantage, during the Canadiens' 6-3 win over the Sabres in Game 5 of their second-round series.

After helping to set up Cole Caufield for Montreal's opening tally early in the first period, Suzuki potted his own late in the second before having a hand in a third-period goal by Ivan Demidov. It was Suzuki's first multi-point performance since the first game of the Habs' playoff run, but he has yet to go two straight games this postseason without getting onto the scoresheet. The 26-year-old center has four goals and 12 points through 12 contests, including two goals and seven points on the power play, into Game 6 on Saturday with a chance to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Slafkovsky notched three assists Thursday, two on the power play, during the Canadiens' 6-3 win over the Sabres in Game 5 of their second-round series.

The 22-year-old winger produced his second multi-point performance of the playoffs as he had a hand in one goal each period, with Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki and Ivan Demidov doing the honors. After a hat trick to kick off Montreal's postseason run, Slafkovsky was held off the scoresheet over the final six games of the first round against Tampa Bay, but in five games against Buffalo he's bounced back with one goal and six points. He'll look to help punch the Habs' ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals in Game 6 on Saturday.

Dobes made 33 saves Thursday during the Canadiens' 6-3 win over the Sabres in Game 5 of their second-round series.

The Sabres came out of the first period with a 3-2 lead, finding the back of the net on three of their first four shots. Dobes shook off the rough start and stood on his head the rest of the way, including in a final frame that saw the visitors get outshot 20-3 as Buffalo desperately tried to get back into the game. Dobes has the Habs one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals, and the 24-year-old netminder will take a 2.28 GAA and .914 save percentage through 12 postseason contests into Game 6 on Saturday back in Montreal.

Granlund scored a power-play goal on four shots, added two PIM, logged two hits and went minus-2 in Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 6.

Granlund got the Ducks on the board in the second period, but that was it for their offense. The 34-year-old produced five goals, 10 points, 20 shots on net, 26 hits and a minus-3 rating over 12 playoff outings. He's under contract for two more years and should be good for middle-six minutes in 2026-27 as a veteran presence who can help the Ducks' younger forwards take their next steps.

Dostal allowed five goals on 21 shots in Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 6.

Dostal was blitzed for three goals in the first period, but he stayed in at the start of the second. The Ducks simply didn't have an answer for the Golden Knights as this series progressed. Dostal ends the playoffs with a 6-6 record, a 3.54 GAA and an .870 save percentage over 12 games. The 25-year-old will be the Ducks' top netminder in 2026-27, though he will need the team's defense to improve in front of him.