Sabres vs. Canadiens: Atlantic Rivals Set for High-Stakes Clash in Montreal
Puck drop: Jan. 22, 2026 - 7:00 PM ET | Bell Centre, Montreal
Two teams riding serious momentum and battling for positioning in a tightly packed Atlantic Division meet tonight in Montreal, where the Buffalo Sabres (27-17-5, 59 pts) take on the Canadiens (28-15-7, 63 pts). Just four points separate these two rivals, and with the playoff race heating up, this one has the feel of a midseason measuring stick.
Let’s break it down.
Recent Form: Sabres Catching Fire
Buffalo comes into this game scorching hot. Since December 9, they’ve gone 16-3-1, banking 33 points-the most in the NHL over that stretch. That kind of run hasn’t been seen in Western New York since the Sabres’ 2006 heyday, when they went 16-3-1 in a similar 20-game stretch.
And it’s not just the overall record. They’ve been road warriors too, winning nine of their last 11 away from home while outscoring opponents 36-24. That includes a power play that’s starting to click, converting at 31.3% (5-for-16) in their last five games.
Special Teams: A Tale of Two Units
Buffalo’s penalty kill has quietly been one of the league’s best this season-ranking 7th at 82.8%. That could be a key factor against a Montreal power play that’s been humming along at 23.4% (9th in the NHL).
On the flip side, Buffalo’s power play ranks just 20th overall (19.3%), but recent results suggest they’re trending in the right direction. Montreal’s penalty kill, meanwhile, has been a soft spot all season-just 77.4%, which ranks 26th league-wide. That’s something the Sabres will look to exploit.
Projected Starters: Luukkonen vs. Dobes
In net, Buffalo is expected to go with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (10-7-2, 2.69 GAA, .903 Sv%). He’s been steady, and with Alex Lyon riding an eight-game win streak, the Sabres’ crease is in good hands either way. A win by Lyon would tie the longest winning streak by a Sabres goalie in franchise history.
Montreal counters with Jakub Dobes (15-5-3, 3.01 GAA, .887 Sv%). While his win-loss record is strong, the numbers suggest Buffalo may find some openings if they can get pucks on net early and often.
Scoring Leaders: Stars on Both Sides
Montreal’s top trio has been electric. Nick Suzuki leads the way with 55 points (15G, 40A), but keep an eye on Lane Hutson.
The rookie blueliner is putting together a Calder-worthy campaign with 52 points (9G, 43A) in 50 games-ridiculous production from the back end. Cole Caufield rounds out the Canadiens’ top scorers with 25 goals and 49 points.
Buffalo counters with a more balanced attack. Tage Thompson leads the Sabres with 51 points (26G, 25A) in 49 games and is heating up-nine points in his last five games and 30 over his last 24. He’s just one goal away from becoming the 13th player in franchise history to score 200 goals in a Sabres jersey.
Rasmus Dahlin has been driving offense from the blue line with 36 points in 45 games and is currently riding a six-game point streak. Alex Tuch (nine points in his last nine games), Jack Quinn (three points in his last three), and Ryan McLeod (nine points in last nine) are all contributing in timely fashion.
Youth Movement in Buffalo
The Sabres are getting meaningful production from their younger players, and that’s a huge reason for their surge. Konsta Helenius is on the verge of a milestone-if he picks up a point tonight, he’ll become just the sixth player in franchise history to record four or more points in his first three NHL games.
Noah Ostlund (five points in last five) and Josh Doan (11 points in last 11) are making their presence felt, while Jason Zucker has quietly chipped in four assists in his last four outings.
Projected Lineup: Sabres
Forwards
Josh Doan - Tage Thompson - Alex Tuch
Jason Zucker - Ryan McLeod - Jack Quinn
Zach Benson - Noah Ostlund - Konsta Helenius
Jordan Greenway - Peyton Krebs - Beck Malenstyn
Defense
Mattias Samuelsson - Rasmus Dahlin
Bowen Byram - Owen Power
Jacob Bryson - Michael Kesselring
Goalies
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (starter projected)
Alex Lyon
Colten Ellis
Injuries
- Justin Danforth (lower body)
- Jiri Kulich (blood clot)
- Conor Timmins (broken leg)
- Josh Dunne (mid-body)
- Josh Norris (ribs - week-to-week)
What to Watch For
- **Can Buffalo’s power play stay hot? ** With Montreal’s struggling PK, this could be a difference-maker.
- **Will Thompson hit 200 goals? ** He’s one away from joining an exclusive club in Sabres history.
- **Can Luukkonen steal one on the road? ** With Lyon waiting in the wings, the pressure’s on to keep the crease.
- **How does Helenius follow up? ** The rookie’s off to a fast start-can he keep the points coming?
This one’s got playoff implications written all over it. Buffalo is surging, Montreal’s holding its ground, and both teams know what’s at stake. Expect pace, physicality, and a few highlight-reel moments in what should be a tightly contested Atlantic showdown.