The Buffalo Sabres had the momentum coming back to Buffalo after winning Game 4 and splitting the games in Montreal. It looked like that momentum was going to carry over early as they would score the first goal of the game and have a 3-2 lead after the first period.
However, it was all Montreal from that point on as they would score five straight goals and secure a 6-3 win. The Sabres are now in desperation mode as they face an elimination game in Game 6 on Saturday night in Montreal.
Before looking ahead to Game 6, these are some takeaways for the Buffalo Sabres from Game 5.
Buffalo Sabres survive chaotic start to Game 5
In Game 4, the two teams combined for five goals over the course of the entire game, but in Game 5, they would match that total in just over the first 10 minutes of the game. The Sabres would get the scoring started with Jason Zucker recording his first goal of these playoffs after Jack Quinn's shot bounced off his skate and past Jakub Dobes.
It would be the fourth time in the five games so far in this series that the Sabres would score the opening goal. That first goal has been a big momentum boost for the Sabres, but they have struggled to build on it as the Canadiens have been able to tie it up in the last three games, including Game 5.
However, the Sabres were able to respond just a little over a minute later after Cole Caufield's goal when Josh Doan would score to make it 2-1. The Sabres' lead didn't last long, in fact, only nine seconds, as the Canadiens responded with a goal to once again tie it up.
Unlike Game 4, it would be the Sabres who would have the lead at the first intermission as Konsta Helenius would score his first career playoff goal around the halfway point of the period.
Sabres give up two goals because of their struggles in the faceoff circle
The second period was when the game got away from the Buffalo Sabres, and it was largely because of two faceoffs in the defensive zone. In this series, the Sabres have really struggled in the faceoff circle against the Canadiens, and after winning the faceoff battle for the first time in Game 4, the Canadiens took control with a win percentage of 56%.
In the second period, the Canadiens would not only win the faceoff in the defensive zone but win it cleanly. In both instances, one in 5v5 and one on the power play, the Canadiens could get set up and would score only seconds after winning those faceoffs.
This is not something that usually jumps out in deciding the outcome, but it is the small details that make a huge difference, especially in the playoffs.
Second straight game where Tage Thompson takes an unnecessary penalty
There is no question that the playoffs have been tough for Tage Thompson, and he has not played at the level that fans have come to know. It is not just the fact that he isn't scoring, but rather making costly mistakes that don't need to happen.
In Game 4, it was a cross-checking penalty that would send him to the box late in the first period that the Canadiens turned into a goal to take a 2-1 lead. On Thursday night, Thompson once again would be called for cross-checking when it really had no impact on the play. The Canadiens wasted no time and would score the power play goal mentioned earlier and build a 5-3 lead going into the second intermission.
It is horrible to take these kinds of penalties, but it makes it even worse when it comes from one of your leaders. There is no question that frustration is part of it, but Tage Thompson can't keep making these mistakes.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen replaced by Alex Lyon to begin the third period
In Game 4, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen gave up two goals in the first period but settled in and was excellent down the stretch. On Thursday night in Game 5, Luukkonen once again gave up two goals in the first period but was not able to bounce back and fell apart in the second period when he allowed three goals on 12 shots.
With the Sabres down only two, Lindy Ruff decided to make the switch and go back to Alex Lyon for the final period. However, the Canadiens would score another power play goal and push the lead to three goals, and the Sabres were unable to mount any kind of comeback.
Lyon started the first three games of this series, but after giving up nine goals in Game 2 and Game 3, the Sabres went back to Luukkonen. In a pivotal Game 6, it would be surprising if the Sabres didn't have Alex Lyon start in net as they try to keep their season alive.
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