2026 NHL Playoffs Preview: Sabres vs. Canadiens Showdown

Buffalo and Montreal will clash in the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, a series that promises to showcase two of the league’s youngest and most skilled rosters.

The regular‑season meetings between the Sabres and Canadiens were perfectly balanced, with each team winning two games and the total goal tally ending in a 13‑13 deadlock.

Three of those four contests took place in January, a period when both clubs were jockeying for position in the Atlantic Division, and the Sabres secured two victories, including one on the road in Montreal.

Both franchises entered the postseason as newcomers to the second round, and each boasts a passionate fan base anchored in a strong hockey market.

Unlike the previous series against Boston, where the Sabres faced a defensive, neutral‑zone style of play, Montreal’s approach is more open, allowing both teams greater freedom to generate offense.

The matchup is expected to be less about grinding, physical battles and more about skill, speed, and the ability to capitalize on turnovers.

Goaltending will be a key factor, as both teams overcame elite netminders in the first round—Buffalo defeated Jeremy Swayman while Montreal bested Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Jakub Dobeš shone for Montreal, posting a 2.00 GAA and .937 save percentage in three career starts against Buffalo, highlighted by a Game 7 performance in which he turned a heavy shot deficit into a win.

Buffalo’s Alex Lyon, who replaced Ukko‑Pekka Luukkonen after the first two games against Boston, posted a 1.44 GAA and .955 save percentage across four starts, providing the Sabres with reliable net coverage.

Neither netminder has yet led a deep playoff run, but their recent performances suggest they can handle the pressure of a potential seven‑game series.

Puck battles were decisive in the first round, with Montreal winning the highest percentage of those contests according to SportLogiq analyst Mike Kelly.

Buffalo’s elite puck‑battle players include Zach Benson, Josh Doan, and Alex Tuch, all of whom demonstrated consistency throughout the regular season and the playoffs.

Montreal’s defenseman Lane Hutson excels at winning battles in the neutral zone, often disrupting opposing forechecks and creating transition opportunities.

The Sabres led the first round in goals scored off turnovers, indicating that winning tight‑area battles could tilt the series in their favor.

Montreal’s aggressive forecheck will test Buffalo’s top‑four defensemen, who must balance physicality with positional awareness.

Power‑play efficiency will also be under the microscope, as Buffalo managed only a single power‑play goal against Boston before finding the net late in the series.

Rasmus Dahlin’s late‑series power‑play goal and a quick strike from Josh Doan after a penalty expired highlight the Sabres’ potential to improve conversion rates.

In contrast, Montreal recorded five power‑play goals in its series against Tampa Bay, suggesting a more potent special‑teams unit.

The offensive leaders for Montreal—Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki—mirror Buffalo’s top‑line threats Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch in skill and scoring ability.

Defensively, both teams feature electrifying blueliners: Montreal’s Lane Hutson and Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin are among the league’s most dynamic defenders.

Youth will be a decisive element, with Juraj Slafkovský contributing three goals for Montreal in round one, while rookie Ivan Demidov failed to register a point despite heavy involvement.

For Buffalo, 20‑year‑old Zach Benson and 24‑year‑old Josh Doan combined for three goals in the series‑clinching win over Boston, whereas Jack Quinn was held scoreless.

If coaches employ matchup strategies to neutralize each other’s top lines, depth scoring will become crucial for both clubs.

Home‑ice advantage may be less pronounced this year, as Buffalo went 1‑2 at KeyBank Center and 3‑0 on the road, while Montreal posted a 1‑2 record at the Bell Centre and 3‑1 away.

Buffalo’s fan base delivered an intense atmosphere in the first round, with visible red‑shirted supporters prompting Rasmus Dahlin to publicly thank the crowd while urging a calmer visual presence.

Montreal fans are known for traveling well, and the relatively short distance between the two cities means a sizable contingent could attend games in Buffalo.

Season‑ticket holders occupy the majority of seats at KeyBank Center, limiting the availability of tickets for visiting fans unless they are purchased on the secondary market.

Injury reports show that Noah Dobson returned for Montreal’s Game 7, leaving Patrik Laine as the sole Canadien listed with a concern.

Buffalo will miss Sam Carrick (arm) and Noah Östlund (lower body), injuries that were anticipated and are not expected to dramatically affect the lineup.

Logan Stanley is expected to be cleared to play after missing Game 6 against Boston due to an illness.

Both teams have demonstrated resilience, but the Sabres entered the playoffs as the more complete regular‑season unit, boasting a more reliable defensive corps.

The Canadiens, however, have shown opportunistic scoring and clutch performances in high‑pressure moments.

If Buffalo maintains its strong goaltending, it may possess a slight edge in a series that could become a memorable, back‑and‑forth contest.

Prediction: Buffalo advances in six games.

Team	Regular‑Season Series Record	Total Goals Scored
Buffalo Sabres	2‑2	13
Montreal Canadiens	2‑2	13

Goalie	GAA	Save %
Jakub Dobeš (MTL)	2.00	.937
Alex Lyon (BUF)	1.44	.955