Updated 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket, Schedule and Top Highlights from May 8

The Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres have split the first two games of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Canadiens claimed a blowout win on Friday night in Buffalo to send the series back to Montreal tied 1-1.

Later Friday night, Mitch Marner helped the Vegas Golden Knights grab a 2-1 series lead over the Anaheim Ducks.

Here's a look at the top highlights from Friday's second-round action as the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs continue.

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Friday Schedule and Results

Montreal Canadiens 5, Buffalo Sabres 1 (Series tied 1-1)

Vegas Golden Knights 6, Anaheim Ducks 2 (VGK leads series 2-1)

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Canadiens 5, Sabres 1

The Canadiens stunned the Sabres early with two goals in the first five minutes thanks to a deflection from Alex Newhook and a wrist shot by Mike Matheson.

Canadiens rookie winger Ivan Demidov suffered an injury scare in the second period, but returned to finish out the game.

The Sabres went down 3-0 before Zach Benson got the home team on the scoreboard in the final minute of the second.

Buffalo was unable to build on that momentum before the Canadiens took advantage of an odd-man rush to stretch the lead back to three early in the third period.

Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki closed things out with an empty netter to ensure the Habs return to Montreal with the series even.

The Canadiens will now have a chance to take their first series lead of the second round when the puck drops for Game 3 on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.

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Golden Knights 6, Ducks 2

A hat trick from Mitch Marner powered the Golden Knights to a Friday night victory in Anaheim.

It took Shea Theodore just over a minute to open scoring for the Golden Knights on a feed from Jack Eichel.

The Ducks had an opportunity to tie the game on a power play later in the period, only for Mitch Marner to set up Brayden McNabb for a shorthanded goal.

Marner then helped Vegas put away the game with a natural hat trick between the first and second periods.

Anaheim made a late push with third-period goals from Beckett Sennecke and Chris Kreider before the Golden Knights' Brett Howden closed the game out with an empty-netter.

Vegas goaltender Carter Hart finished the game with 30 saves on 32 shots. The Golden Knights will wait for an injury update on Mark Stone, who skted his final shift of the game in the first period.

The Ducks will look to even the series again when the puck drops for Game 4 in Anaheim on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. ET.