BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Mike Matheson #8 of the Montréal Canadiens stops in front of Jacob Fowler #32 to defend against Tage Thompson #72 and Zach Benson #6 of the Buffalo Sabres during the second period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on January 15, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Tyson Kozak #48 of the Buffalo Sabres controls the puck in front of Alexandre Carrier #45 of the Montréal Canadiens during the second period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on January 15, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Oliver Kapanen #91 of the Montréal Canadiens defends against Zach Metsa #73 of the Buffalo Sabres during the second period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on January 15, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Alexandre Texier #85 of the Montréal Canadiens defends against Beck Malenstyn #29 of the Buffalo Sabres during the first period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on January 15, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Jacob Fowler #32 of the Montréal Canadiens tends goal against Beck Malenstyn #29 of the Buffalo Sabres during the second period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on January 15, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Phillip Danault #24 of the Montréal Canadiens controls the puck against Jason Zucker #17 of the Buffalo Sabres during the second period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on January 15, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Bowen Byram #4 of the Buffalo Sabres battles against Mike Matheson #8 of the Montréal Canadiens during the second period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on January 15, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Alex Tuch #89 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates his goal with teammate Tage Thompson #72 during the second period of an NHL game against the Montréal Canadiens at KeyBank Center on January 15, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)