Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens: Playoff Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are set to face off against the Montreal Canadiens in the opening match of their Eastern Conference second round playoff series. Scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT on Wednesday in Buffalo, both teams have had a competitive history this season, splitting their four regular season games with each team winning twice. Their last encounter took place on February 31, where Montreal emerged victorious with a score of 4-2.
Team Records and Performance
Buffalo boasts a strong overall record of 50 wins, 23 losses, and 9 overtime losses, including a commendable 20-7-5 record within the Atlantic Division. The Sabres have shown particular skill on the power play, registering an 18-5-5 record in games where they managed to score at least one power-play goal. This solid performance is crucial as playoff games often hinge on special teams effectiveness.
Montreal’s record stands at 48 wins, 24 losses, and 10 overtime losses, illustrating their competitive nature in the postseason. They have fared well against division rivals, posting a 20-10-3 mark in the Atlantic Division. However, the Canadiens spend considerable time in the penalty box, averaging 10.4 penalty minutes per game, which could be a concern against a team like Buffalo that capitalizes on power play chances.
Key Players
Among the standout performers, Josh Doan leads the Sabres with 26 goals and matching assists, while Alex Tuch has been hot recently, contributing 11 points (seven goals, four assists) over his last ten games. For Montreal, Nick Suzuki’s offensive prowess is evident with 29 goals and 72 assists this season, and Josh Anderson has scored three goals with one assist in his last ten outings.
Recent Form and Injuries
As the series begins, the Sabres enter with momentum, having compiled a 7-1-2 record in their last ten games, averaging an impressive 3.8 goals per game along with solid defensive contributions, allowing just 1.9 goals against. The Canadiens need to elevate their game, having gone 5-3-2 in the same stretch, scoring fewer goals on average and conceding more than the Sabres.
In terms of injuries, the Sabres will be missing Noah Ostlund due to a lower body issue, while Jiri Kulich has been ruled out for the season with an ear injury. Sam Carrick is day-to-day with an arm injury, and Justin Danforth is also out for the season following a knee injury. The Canadiens will have to cope without Patrik Laine, who is sidelined due to an abdominal injury.
Conclusion
With both teams prepared to battle for an advantage in the postseason, fans can expect an exciting start to this playoff matchup in Buffalo.
