Sabres’ Lindy Ruff drops encouraging Owen Power update after twisted leg in Game 5

The Buffalo Sabres are preparing to try to keep their season alive in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night — and they will have key defenseman Owen Power available for the crucial contest.

The 2021 No. 1 overall draft selection left during the third period of a 6-3 defeat in Game 5 after falling hard into the boards feet-first. He was able to return to the contest, playing two shifts in the final six minutes, totalling a minute and 28 seconds.

Overall, the 23-year-old played a shade under 22 minutes, picking up an assist in the loss. Head coach Lindy Ruff said Power came in on Friday to receive treatment.

“All I can offer is he said he’s feeling pretty good, better than he thought he’d feel, so that’s encouraging,” Ruff said on Friday, per The Athletic’s Matthew Fairburn.

Ruff confirmed on Saturday that Power would play in his usual spot with Bowen Byram on the second pairing. That’s an excellent sign for the Sabres, as Power has been one of the team’s most important players throughout their postseason run.

It’s the first time Buffalo is facing elimination in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs; they beat the Boston Bruins in six games in Round 1, closing out the series at TD Garden.

The team has been excellent on the road, going 4-1. They won all three games in Beantown, and got the split in Montreal after winning Game 4 earlier this week.

The more important question lineup-wise is who will be between the pipes for the do-or-die Game 6. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen got the start in Game 5, but was replaced by Alex Lyon after two periods after giving up five goals on 23 shots.

It’s a difficult decision for Ruff and the coaching staff, although Lyon has been the better goaltender in these playoffs. He’s started seven games, managing a 2.25 goals-against average and .917 save percentage.

Meanwhile, UPL has a 4.20 GAA and .851 SV%.

Whoever is between the pipes, he’ll have to weather a raucous crowd at the Bell Centre in downtown Montreal. Puck is set to drop on the first elimination game of the series just past 8:00 p.m. ET on Saturday night.

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