Byram, McLeod score to revive Sabres power play in 4-2 win over Montreal in 2nd round playoff opener

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Bowen Byram and Ryan McLeod scored on consecutive power-play opportunities in reviving Buffalo’s anemic special-teams unit, and the Sabres defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series on Wednesday night.

Josh Doan and Jordan Greenway also scored for Buffalo making its first second-round appearance since 2007, and first overall in 15 years. Alex Lyon stopped 26 shots and improved to 4-1 since taking over the starting duties in Game 3 of Buffalo’s opening-round opponent Boston.

Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach scored for Montreal, which appeared slow to find its legs three days after defeating Tampa Bay in Game 7 of its first-round series. Jakub Dobes finished with 12 saves, and allowed four goals after allowing a combined two in splitting Games 6 and 7 against the Lightning.

Montreal has yet to win consecutive playoff games this postseason, and was coming off a series in which all seven games were decided by one goal, including four in overtime.

Buffalo hosts Game 2 on Friday night, before the series shifts to Montreal on Sunday.

The Sabres were the more rested team in having four days off since beating Boston 4-1 in Game 6 on Friday.

Doan opened the scoring 4:31 in by converting Zach Benson’s pass to cap a 2-on-1 after Montreal defenseman Lane Hutson fell and turned over the puck in front of his bench.

McLeod made it 2-0 by converting Benson’s pass through the crease on Buffalo’s second power-play opportunity 13:26 into the first period. Byram scored on the next opportunity by snapping in a shot from between the circles to put Buffalo up 4-1 midway through the second period.

Byram’s goal was his fourth, matching the Sabres’ franchise playoff record for defensemen, joining Mike Ramsey (1988), Jason Woolley and Alexei Zhitnik, who both scored four in 1999.

Buffalo converted 2-of-3 power-play chances in breathing new life into a unit that went 1 of 24 against Boston. The Sabres' 4.2% conversion rate was tied for 865th out of 897 teams that had 20 or more opportunities in a playoff series since 1978.

And Buffalo’s man-advantage woes carried over from the final seven regular-season games in which the team went 0 for 22.

Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin’s status bears monitoring after he limped off favoring his right leg with under three minutes left after blocking Jake Evans’ shot. Dahlin briefly went up the tunnel, before returning to the bench, but did not see any further ice time.

Dach scored the game’s highlight goal, cutting Buffalo’s lead to 4-2 with 3:29 left in the second. Driving up the right wing, Dach’s centering pass was blocked by Lyon’s stick. The puck caromed back to Dach who, while falling, was able to lift the puck over the goalie’s glove.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Buffalo Sabres left wing Jordan Greenway, center, celebrates his goal during the second period in Game 1 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens, Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Buffalo Sabres right wing Josh Doan, left, is stopped by Montréal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes (75) during the first period in Game 1 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series, Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki, front left, and Buffalo Sabres center Peyton Krebs (19) battle after a face-off during the second period in Game 1 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series, Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes, right, watches the puck shot by Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) during the first period in Game 1 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series, Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Buffalo Sabres right wing Josh Doan, right, celebrates his goal with center Josh Norris, during the first period in Game 1 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series, Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Edmundo Sosa hit a go-ahead two-run single in the eighth inning, Adolis García homered, and the Philadelphia Phillies rallied to beat the Athletics 6-3 on Wednesday night.

Brandon Marsh had a triple among his three hits for Philadelphia, which improved to 8-1 under interim manager Don Mattingly.

Brad Keller pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save after Orion Kerkering (1-0) got the final out of the eighth.

Tyler Soderstrom homered and Nick Kurtz extended his on-base streak to 30 consecutive games with a fifth-inning RBI single for the Athletics. The AL West-leading A’s have lost four of five.

Trailing 3-2, the Phillies scored four runs in the eighth off Jack Perkins (2-1). Perkins walked Kyle Schwarber to open the frame before second baseman Jeff McNeil’s throwing error on Bryce Harper’s grounder and a single by García loaded the bases. Sosa’s two-run single put Philadelphia in front 4-3. Marsh added an RBI single and Justin Crawford added an RBI groundout.

Kurtz, who grew up a Phillies from nearby Lancaster, Pennsylvania, gave the Athletics a 2-0 lead with a two-out RBI single in the fifth off Phillies starter Zack Wheeler.

Wheeler, making his third start of the season and first in Philadelphia since last August following thoracic outlet decompression surgery, allowed three runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out four and walked one.

Athletics starter Jeffrey Springs gave up two runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out four and walked none. The 75-pitch outing was a good sign for Springs, who left his last start after just 67 pitches due to right hip soreness.

Athletics RHP J.T. Ginn (0-1, 4.30 ERA) opposes Philadelphia RHP Andrew Painter (1-3, 5.28) in the finale of the three-game series on Thursday night.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Philadelphia Phillies' Zack Wheeler pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Phillies' Felix Reyes hits a one-run single off of Athletics pitcher Jeffrey Springs during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Athletics' Zack Gelof scores past Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Phillies' Edmundo Sosa is out at second as Athletics second baseman Jeff McNeil attempts a double play during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Phillies' Adolis García celebrates his home run off of Athletics pitcher Jeffrey Springs during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)