Ruff Cites Missed Chances After Caufield Gives Canadiens Overtime Win

“We could have made them pay, but instead, goes the other way, and they made us pay,” Lindy Ruff said after the Buffalo Sabres’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

The Buffalo coach was answering a question about a two-goal comeback that still ended with one point, a late power play without a goal and an unconverted three-on-one in overtime. Cole Caufield scored his second goal of the night 54 seconds into overtime at Centre Bell, giving Montreal the win after Buffalo had erased a 3-1 deficit.

Asked about Buffalo’s final regulation power play in his official postgame availability, Ruff approved its puck movement and response to Montreal’s pressure but said the shooters had not found a gap.

Thompson liked the last power play, but wanted a result

“Could've put it away at the end there, but the last one was the best it's looked, I think, all season,” Tage Thompson said in his postgame interview.

Thompson was discussing how Buffalo had earned a point after falling two goals behind. He liked the Sabres’ five-on-five play while saying the power play, which finished 0-for-4, still needed substantial improvement.

His even-strength goal at 10:12 of the third period, assisted by Josh Doan and Jiri Kulich, had tied the game. Thompson credited Doan’s puck pursuit and support in the corner before the pass to the far post.

Jack Quinn said Zach Benson “made a great spin pass to me alone in front” on Buffalo’s shorthanded goal at 9:52 of the second period.

In his official interview, Quinn explained that he was arriving from far away and did not know whether Benson would see him. Benson and Mattias Samuelsson received the assists on the goal that cut Montreal’s lead to 3-2.

St-Louis credits the top line’s defending

“I thought they played hard. I thought they defended hard,” Montreal coach Martin St-Louis said when asked about his top line’s performance.

In the Canadiens’ official postgame availability, St-Louis said all three players wanted to make a difference, including defensively in the third period. Asked whether the line had taken the initiative rather than waiting for the power play, he credited Juraj Slafkovsky’s stick and forecheck for disrupting the play that became Caufield’s regulation goal.

Caufield also credited Slafkovsky’s physical forecheck and body positioning for forcing turnovers and extending offensive-zone play. Asked about his line’s puck pursuit and confidence, he said “creating chances and getting turnovers is a big part of what we do.”

Sources and review

Buffalo remarks were reviewed through the official interview captions. Montreal remarks were reviewed through automated transcripts of the Canadiens’ official postgame recording, with selected English quotations checked against a second automated transcription. No full audio or video playback review was performed. Game facts were checked against the official NHL game summary.