The Buffalo Sabres will play the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Bell Centre in Montreal. The Sabres have improved their position in the Atlantic Division, now trailing the third-place Canadiens by just four points and holding a game in hand. This comes after a significant turnaround, as the team posted an 11-14-4 record earlier in the season but has since gone 16-3-1.
Over their last 20 games, the Sabres have shown consistent performance both at home and on the road. They have also excelled against divisional and conference opponents, with a 3-1-0 record versus divisional teams and an 8-3-0 mark against Eastern Conference opponents since December 9. Overall, Buffalo is 8-3-2 in Atlantic Division matchups this season.
Last week, Tage Thompson led the Sabres to a 5-3 victory over Montreal with three goals and five points.
Thursday’s game will be broadcast on MSG for viewers in the Sabres market, with pregame coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. Streaming options include Gotham Sports App and ESPN+ for out-of-market viewers. Radio coverage is available on WWKB 1520 and through the Buffalo Sabres App.
Defenseman Michael Kesselring returns to play after missing two games due to an ankle injury, replacing Zach Metsa on the third defensive pair. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will start as goaltender.
Forward Josh Doan signed a seven-year contract extension with an average annual value of $6.95 million, removing him from restricted free agency consideration this summer. Doan currently ranks third on the team in goals (15) and fourth in points (35), while leading the league with 35 takeaways this season.
Buffalo’s younger players contributed significantly during Tuesday’s win over Nashville. Konsta Helenius had three points in his second NHL game, Noah Ostlund scored twice, and Zach Benson assisted key plays for their line. Coach Lindy Ruff commented: “I think the world of Ostlund, the way he plays down low and how smart he’s been,” Ruff said. “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.”
Montreal enters Thursday’s matchup having won seven of its last eleven games this month (7-3-1), including four wins at home (4-1-0). Cole Caufield scored a late game-winner against Minnesota earlier this week; defenseman Lane Hutson has recorded fourteen points in January; Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky each have six goals during that span.
Goaltender Samuel Montembeault is expected to start for Montreal after Jacob Fowler was loaned back to Laval following his previous outing against Buffalo.
The Sabres are looking to end a three-game losing streak at Bell Centre dating back to last season.
