The Montreal Canadiens are set to face off against the Buffalo Sabres in Game 1 of their second-round series on Wednesday, with puck drop scheduled for 7 pm ET. After a hard-fought seven-game series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Habs are looking to carry their momentum into this next challenge. Goaltender Jakub Dobes emerged as the team's MVP in that first-round battle, while the Sabres similarly leaned on netminder Alex Lyon, who helped them dispatch the Boston Bruins in six games.
With both teams relying on strong goaltending, this series might not be a goal-scoring frenzy, but there's a good chance we'll see more offensive opportunities compared to the previous matchups. Statistically, the gap between the Canadiens and Sabres is much closer than it was between Montreal and Tampa Bay. That means head coach Martin St-Louis' squad faces a tough but winnable challenge in the second round.
As always, the team that gets off to a strong start in Game 1 will carry a significant advantage. Both clubs are young and talented, so the first period of this opening game could very well set the tone for the entire series. Expect an energetic, fast-paced battle from the drop of the puck.
St-Louis has been keeping his lineup plans under wraps, but reports from practice suggest we might see some changes. Physical defenseman Arber Xhekaj is expected to return to the lineup after posting some of the best underlying numbers on the team during the first round—a reminder that consistency from the coaching staff can bring out the best in players.
Joe Veleno is also anticipated to make his playoff debut for the Canadiens, potentially taking the spot of veteran Brendan Gallagher. Veleno, 26, was one of the most physical depth players during the regular season and could bring a spark to the lineup. However, regardless of how the bottom six performs, Montreal will need more consistency from their top line, which struggled at even strength in the first round. If the stars can step up, the Canadiens have a real shot at advancing.