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Sabres Host Canadiens in First Playoff Meeting Since 1998

5/5/2026

24 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Buffalo Sabres host the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night in the Eastern Conference second-round series opener, the first playoff meeting between the clubs since 1998.
Both teams split their four regular-season meetings 2-2, scoring 13 goals each and ranking among the league’s top three for goals-against at 2.0 and 2.1 per game.
Buffalo’s power play is 4.2% (1 of 24) while Montreal’s is 19.2% efficient.

History

Historical Context

In the 1997-98 season, owned by John Rigas, the Buffalo Sabres advanced to the Eastern Conference final for the first time since 1980, sweeping the Montreal Canadiens in the semifinal. Their defense, anchored by Dominik Hasek, posted 13 shutouts—the most in the NHL that year. The Canadiens, making their first playoff series win since the 1992-93 title, fell despite strong goaltending from Patrick Roy.

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Story summary

The Buffalo Sabres host the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night in the Eastern Conference second-round series opener, the first playoff meeting between the clubs since 1998.
Both teams split their four regular-season meetings 2-2, scoring 13 goals each and ranking among the league’s top three for goals-against at 2.0 and 2.1 per game.
Buffalo’s power play is 4.2% (1 of 24) while Montreal’s is 19.2% efficient.

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