Canadiens vs. Sabres: Game Preview, Start Time, Tale of the Tape & Viewing Info
The Montreal Canadiens are set to face off against the Buffalo Sabres in a thrilling matchup that promises to be significant for both teams. The game is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST. It will be broadcasted in Canada on CityTV, Sportsnet East (English), and TVA Sports (French). Viewers in the Sabres region can catch the game on MSG Buffalo. Streaming options include ESPN+ and Sportsnet+.
Canadiens’ Recent Performance
The Canadiens recently secured a dominant victory against a depleted Colorado Avalanche, winning 7-3. This win improved their January record to 9-5-1. Despite this achievement, the Canadiens have struggled against key rivals, suffering losses predominantly to playoff-contending teams.
Notably, five of their six losses this month have come against teams like the Washington Capitals and two against the Buffalo Sabres. This places Montreal in a tightly contested battle for the final playoff spots in the Atlantic Division, tied with Boston and Buffalo.
Head-to-Head Highlights
In their previous encounters with the Sabres, the Canadiens experienced a mixed performance. While Buffalo dominated in their first match, Montreal made a strong push in the most recent game, only to fall short despite leading in the latter periods.
Tale of the Tape: Canadiens vs. Sabres
| Statistics | Canadiens | Sabres |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 30-17-7 | 31-17-5 |
| Expected-goal share | 49.5% (18th) | 49.2% (21st) |
| Goals per game | 3.43 (4th) | 3.40 (6th) |
| Goals against per game | 3.26 (23rd) | 3.02 (14th) |
| Power Play % | 23.6% (7th) | 19.5% (18th) |
| Penalty Kill % | 77.1% (27th) | 83.1% (7th) |
| Head-to-Head Record | 1-2-0 | 2-1-0 |
Key Players to Watch
- Cole Caufield: Leads the Canadiens with 30 goals, including 11 this January.
- Tage Thompson: The Sabres’ standout with 28 goals and leads in points with 55.
- Jakub Dobeš: The Canadiens’ goaltender with five consecutive wins in January.
- Rasmus Dahlin: Buffalo’s key defender with notable contributions on offense.
Looking Ahead
The Canadiens aim to even the season series against the Sabres, reflecting their recent improved performance as a cohesive unit. With Dobeš in net and players like Caufield stepping up, Montreal hopes to secure a crucial victory in this divisional matchup.
As the Canadiens prepare for this evening’s challenge, fans can expect an intense game filled with strategic plays and high stakes for both teams.
