Updated 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket, Schedule and Top Highlights from May 16

The Buffalo Sabres kept their season alive on Saturday after defeating the host Montreal Canadiens 8-3 on Saturday in Game 6 of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Carolina Hurricanes now await the victor of the winner-take-all Game 7, which will take place in Buffalo on Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN), in the Eastern Conference Final. The Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights are already set to face off in the Western Conference Final.

Here's a look at the updated brackets, the future conference final schedules and the top highlights from the Sabres' big win.

Eastern Conference Final Schedule

Game	Date	Home	Away	Time (ET)	TV/Stream
1	Thu., 5/21	Carolina	BUF/MTL	TBD	TNT, truTV, HBOMax
2	Sat., 5/23	Carolina	BUF/MTL	TBD	TNT, truTV, HBOMax
3	Mon., 5/25	BUF/MTL	Carolina	TBD	TNT, truTV, HBOMax
4	Wed., 5/27	BUF/MTL	Carolina	TBD	TNT, truTV, HBOMax
5 (if needed)	Fri., 5/29	Carolina	BUF/MTL	TBD	TNT, truTV, HBOMax
6 (if needed)	Sun., 5/31	BUF/MTL	Carolina	TBD	TNT, truTV, HBOMax
7 (if needed)	Tues., 6/2	Carolina	BUF/MTL	TBD	TNT, truTV, HBOMax

Western Conference Final Schedule

Game	Day/Date	Home	Away	Time	TV/Stream
1	Wed., 5/20	Colorado	Vegas	8 p.m.	ESPN
2	Fri., 5/22	Colorado	Vegas	8 p.m.	ESPN
3	Sun., 5/24	Vegas	Colorado	8 p.m.	ESPN
4	Tues., 5/26	Vegas	Colorado	TBD	ESPN
5 (if needed)	Thu., 5/28	Colorado	Vegas	8 p.m.	ESPN
6 (if needed)	Sat., 5/30	Vegas	Colorado	8 p.m.	ESPN
7 (if needed)	Mon., 6/1	Colorado	Vegas	8 p.m.	ESPN

Sabres 8, Canadiens 3

Buffalo's prospects looked bleak after Montreal scored three goals on three shots in an 8:34 span in the first period to chase goaltender Alex Lyon from the game, but the Sabres emphatically answered the bell and then some with seven consecutive goals to close the contest.

Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin had a goal and four assists. Center Tage Thompson scored a goal alongside three assists. Right wing Jack Quinn scored twice. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen played in relief of Lyon and saved all 17 shots he faced.

Dahlin scored a goal 32 seconds into the game, but Montreal defenseman Arber Xhekaj answered a minute and eight seconds later. Montreal right wing Ivan Demidov scored on the power play and then center Jake Evans added a shorthanded tally for the 3-1 edge.

Sabres left wing Jason Zucker scored a power play goal at 13:56 of the first period to cut Montreal's lead to 3-2.

Buffalo then thoroughly dominated the second and third periods, scoring three goals in each frame.

Left wing Zach Benson, Quinn and center Konsta Helenius scored in the second period.

Quinn, Thompson and defenseman Zach Metsa added tallies in the third. Thompson's goal was an empty-netter.

The Sabres went 4-of-6 on the power play and out-shot the Canadiens 36-22.