Canadiens, Sabres ready to start Round 2 playoff battle tonight
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Digital Subscription
One year of digital access for only $205*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
BUFFALO – The Montreal Canadiens are hoping netminder Jakub Dobes stays hot and the offence can generate a few more goals as they prepare to face the Buffalo Sabres tonight in the opening game of the second-round, best-of-seven NHL playoff series.
The Canadiens, who were held to nine shots in Sunday’s Game 7 but still found a way to beat the host Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in a series that featured four overtime games and seven one-goal decisions.
Tampa’s head coach Jon Cooper believed the Canadiens had the hockey gods on their side, especially in the deciding game. Montreal bench boss Martin St. Louis said you don’t win many games with nine shots, but the Canadiens did it in Game 7 and “we aren’t leaving” the playoffs.
The Sabres, who snapped a 14-year playoff drought this season and then knocked off the Boston Bruins in six games in Round 1, believe the next series will be an epic battle between young, hungry teams oozing with speed, skill and swagger.
The Sabres and Canadiens met four times this season and split the series, with each team scoring 13 goals. The Sabres finished first in the Atlantic Division with 109 points — three more than the Canadiens — and will have home-ice advantage.
The Sabres and Canadiens have met seven times in the playoffs, with Montreal winning four of the series. The teams haven’t met since 1998, when the Sabres swept the Canadiens in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Game 2 is Friday in Buffalo, before the series shifts to Montreal for Game 3 (Sunday) and Game 4 (Tuesday).
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 6, 2026.
Related Articles
'Keep playing': Canadiens have simple message to goal-hungry Caufield ahead of Game 1
Advertisement Advertise With Us
Advertisement Advertise With Us