The Buffalo Sabres are set to challenge the Montreal Canadiens once again this Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Bell Centre, and there’s a significant opportunity for Buffalo—a victory would bring them just two points shy of the Canadiens, who currently hold the third spot in the Atlantic Division.
This scenario is particularly striking considering how distant that third-place position seemed earlier in the season. The Sabres found themselves struggling at 11-14-4, firmly planted at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. However, since then, they have turned their fortunes around dramatically with an impressive record of 16 wins, 3 losses, and 1 overtime loss. As they enter Thursday's contest, they trail the Canadiens by only four points and boast a game in hand, making this matchup even more compelling.
In these last 20 games—a quarter of the regular season—the Sabres have undeniably established themselves as a strong team rather than just a momentary surprise. Their performance has been marked by dominance both at home and on the road, showing resilience in tightly contested matches and effectively fending off opponents' comebacks. This success comes despite the demanding schedule January has presented.
A pivotal factor contributing to the Sabres’ rise in the standings has been their performance against fellow conference teams. They've recorded three wins and only one loss against divisional rivals and an overall record of eight wins and three losses against Eastern Conference foes since December 9. Over the entire season, Buffalo stands at 8-3-2 in matchups within their division, with the majority of losses occurring back in October.
In their previous encounter last Thursday, the Sabres secured a thrilling 5-3 victory over Montreal, thanks to an outstanding three-goal and five-point performance from Tage Thompson. As anticipation builds for this week’s faceoff, fans are left wondering who might emerge as the standout player this time.
Lineup Updates (as of 12:45 p.m.)
During the morning skate, the only change to the lineup involved defenseman Michael Kesselring, who is stepping in for Zach Metsa on the third defensive pair due to an ankle injury. Coach Lindy Ruff indicated that Kesselring’s participation will be a game-time decision. Meanwhile, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to be the starting goaltender for this matchup. For those eager to catch the full lineup details, come back during the 6:30 p.m. warmups.
Contract Extension for Doan
In exciting news, first-year Sabre Josh Doan, who was poised to enter restricted free agency this summer, has now secured his future with the team by signing a substantial seven-year contract extension valued at an average annual rate of $6.95 million. Doan has made quite an impact this season, ranking third on the team with 15 goals and fourth in total points with 35. His contributions extend beyond scoring; he leads the league with 35 takeaways, showcasing his importance in the Sabres’ strategy and success this year. Expect him to address the media following the morning skate in Montreal, so check back on Sabres.com for comprehensive updates.
Youth Movement Making Waves
Buffalo’s third line has recently shone brightly, especially during Tuesday’s game in Nashville. In just his second NHL appearance, Konsta Helenius delivered an impressive performance with three points, including one goal and two assists, while Noah Ostlund netted two goals. Zach Benson, another promising former first-round pick, played a crucial role in facilitating their success on the ice.
In fact, during their time together at even strength over the past couple of games, this trio has dominated various statistical categories, including shot attempts, shots on goal, scoring chances, and goals. Coach Ruff expressed confidence in deploying this young line, emphasizing Ostlund's intelligence and effective low-play strategy. "I think the world of Ostlund, the way he plays down low and how smart he’s been," Ruff noted. "Just give them the opportunity, trust them to play. And I think if you keep getting thrown out there, you feel good about your game."
Scouting Report on the Canadiens
On the other side, the Canadiens have their own momentum, clinching a dramatic win on Tuesday against Minnesota with Cole Caufield scoring the decisive goal with just 15 seconds left on the clock. They have been performing well in January, boasting a record of 7-3-1, including a solid 4-1-0 record at home. Defenseman Lane Hutson has been making waves, recording two assists last week against Buffalo and accumulating 14 points over 11 games this month. Both Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky have contributed significantly, each netting six goals.
After a less-than-stellar performance in Buffalo, the Canadiens decided to loan goalie Jacob Fowler back to Laval, opting instead for Samuel Montembeault in net on Thursday, who currently holds a record of 9 wins, 6 losses, and 2 overtime losses, alongside an .873 save percentage.
It’s worth noting that the Sabres have faced challenges at the Bell Centre recently, losing their last three games there, which includes two losses from last season and a 4-2 setback on October 20.
With high stakes and thrilling narratives surrounding both teams, this matchup promises to deliver excitement. Will the Sabres continue their upward trajectory or will the Canadiens hold their ground? Share your thoughts below—are you rooting for the Sabres to break their Bell Centre curse, or do you think Montreal will maintain their recent dominance?
