The Montreal Canadiens pushed through a tough opening round and survived a tense Game 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, even though offense was hard to come by. Their structure stayed tight, and rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes delivered a performance that held everything together under pressure. Still, the narrow margin has raised fair questions about whether that style can carry them over a longer stretch.
As they prepare to face the Buffalo Sabres in Round 2, that uncertainty has not gone away. Buffalo comes in with momentum after breaking through in the first round, and their pace and attack will test Montreal in a different way.
Former Team USA Olympian Jason Demers has already made his view clear, showing little belief in Montreal’s chances and pointing to Buffalo’s ability to sustain pressure.
Demers Questions Canadiens’ Outlook Vs. Sabres
Demers did not hesitate when laying out his bracket, picking Buffalo to win the series in six games and signaling clear doubt about Montreal’s path forward. The matchup also brings some history, as it marks the first playoff meeting between the teams since 1998.
Montreal advanced with a 2-1 win in Game 7, where they made the most of limited opportunities. Nick Suzuki opened the scoring, while Alex Newhook delivered the winner in the third period. Dobes handled the rest, turning aside 28 shots and keeping the game within reach despite long stretches spent defending.
That formula worked in a low-event series, but the next round could demand more. Buffalo brings deeper scoring options and enters with confidence after eliminating Boston in six. The regular-season meetings between these teams were even, both in results (2-2-0) and goals(13-13), which suggests a more open series where chances may come more often.
Montreal’s lineup continues to lean on a young core that has driven its progress. Suzuki leads the way, with Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky adding scoring depth. On the blueline, Lane Hutson plays a key role in transition, while younger pieces round out the group.
Buffalo, however, has its own strengths, led by Tage Thompson, who has found success against Montreal before. In goal, Alex Lyon has proven to be a steady presence, giving the Sabres a reliable presence in net.
With the series opening at KeyBank Center, Buffalo holds the edge of home ice. Montreal showed it can handle pressure, but the next step will require more consistent offense and sharper execution.
