Sabres point to lack of discipline, consistency in back-to-back losses to Canadiens

MONTREAL — Before their second-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens started, Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff cautioned his players — and anyone else willing to listen — about the importance of not underestimating their opponent.

Following Montreal’s commanding 6-2 victory in Game 3 on Sunday at Bell Centre, which gave the Canadiens a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, the Sabres’ bench boss reinforced that warning.

“They beat a hell of a team (Tampa Bay),” Ruff said. “They are a hell of a team. Don’t take them for granted. If we don’t realize it now, we’re never going to realize it.”

The Sabres got off to a strong start Sunday, courtesy of a Tage Thompson goal just 53 seconds into the game. However, Montreal responded with four unanswered goals, including a pair on the power play, to give themselves a cushion that would prove insurmountable.

“I thought we started off really good,” said Thompson, who snapped a seven-game goalless drought dating back to Game 1 of Buffalo’s first-round series against the Boston Bruins. “There were spurts throughout the game where we thought we got to our game and played to our standard, but just not consistent enough.”

Buffalo’s lack of discipline, coupled with poor puck decisions made throughout the opening three games of the series, have been particular areas of concern for Ruff.

“We’ve got to be smarter,” said Ruff. “We took five offensive zone penalties. Our discipline from that wasn’t good enough.”

The Sabres have taken 13 penalties in three games, after recording just 16 total infractions through their entire six-game, opening round matchup with the Bruins.

“They’re a skilled team,” said Thompson. “They have a lot of players that can make plays and score. You give them opportunities and they don’t need a whole lot to put it in the back of the net.”

Thompson also pointed to his team’s lack of composure throughout Game 3 as a catalyst behind his team’s shortcomings.

“I think we got a little too emotional tonight, too,” said Thompson. “We talk about it all the time, just staying even-keeled. Highs and lows, just try to stay right in the middle. I thought tonight we really let our emotions kind of get the better of us.”

One aspect of their game Buffalo did like on Sunday, however, was the team’s play while up a man.

The Sabres went 1-for-4 with the man advantage, thanks to a Rasmus Dahlin power-play goal in the second period that cut Buffalo’s deficit to 4-2.

Buffalo also generated ample scoring chances on two successive power-play opportunities in the third period, but couldn’t score.

“I thought our power play did everything but score,” said Ruff. “We’ve got to give their goaltender a lot of credit. He made some great saves, especially when we were trying to make it 4-3.”

The Sabres have already scored three power-play goals through three games this series, after scoring just one goal across 24 such opportunities in the first round.

“That was probably the least frustrating game as far as the power play goes,” said Thompson. “It felt like we really got a lot of momentum from our chances there, built some life for our group. Anytime you’re snapping it around like that and getting looks, it gives your team some momentum.”

Buffalo now finds itself in uncharted waters, having dropped consecutive games to trail in a series for the first time in this post-season.

Nevertheless, Thompson remains confident in his team’s ability to respond positively, beginning with Game 4 back at Bell Centre on Tuesday.

“We’ve had our backs against the wall the entire season,” said Thompson. “We dug ourselves out of a hole and found a way. It’s not something that is foreign to us by any means. It’s been two games. We’re not too concerned. I think everyone in the room believes in each other.

“We know what we need to do, it’s not a secret. It’s just going to come down to will and competing harder. I think we have the guys that can do it.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 10, 2026.

Jordan Stoopler, The Canadian Press