MTL@BUF: What you need to know
NHL.com • • sports
Key Points:
- The Montreal Canadiens, the youngest NHL team in the playoffs, aim to build on their Round 1 success as they enter Round 2, with a focus on concrete progress rather than just participation.
- Starting the series on the road again poses no significant challenge for the Canadiens, who won three games in Tampa Bay during Round 1 and have one of the best away records in the regular season.
- The Canadiens need to improve their power play against the Sabres, who have the third-best penalty kill in the playoffs; Montreal struggled with special teams late in Round 1, going 0-for-7 in the final three games.
- In the 2025-26 regular season, the Canadiens and Sabres split their four meetings evenly at 2-2, with all games decided by two-goal margins and ending in regulation.
- Key players to watch include rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes for Montreal, who posted strong stats in Round 1, and veteran Alex Lyon for Buffalo, who has excelled since taking over in goal, ranking second in goals-against average and save percentage among playoff goalies.
