In a must-win Game 6 against the Montreal Canadiens, the Buffalo Sabres faced significant challenges as goaltender Alex Lyon was pulled early in the first period after allowing three goals on three shots. The Canadiens quickly took control of the game, with Jake Evans scoring twice to give them a 3-1 lead. The Sabres initially struck first, with Rasmus Dahlin scoring just 32 seconds into the game, marking his third goal of the playoffs. However, their momentum was short-lived as the Canadiens responded decisively. Jason Zucker managed to score a power-play goal later in the period, bringing the score to 3-2. Coach Lindy Ruff did not confirm a starting goaltender before the game, which added to the uncertainty surrounding the team's performance. Lyon's postseason record before this game was 4-3 with a 2.25 goals-against average, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who replaced him, had a 4.20 average. The Sabres' struggle in this elimination game highlights the pressure they faced in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.