Buffalo Sabres at Montréal Canadiens, 2026-10-17
The Sabres visit the Canadiens at Centre Bell. Puck drop 7:00 PM EDT. On SNE, NHLN.
Where to watch Sabres at Canadiens
- National
- SNE, TVAS
- National
- NHLN
- Regional
- MSG-B (BUF)
Sabres and Canadiens meet again at Bell Centre
- Oliver Kapanen remains day to day and skated on Montreal's top line at Friday's practice as he recovers from an injury.2
- Rasmus Dahlin (upper body) will not return, which likely means another game for defenceman Dennis Gilbert, who has a goal and an assist in the last two.3
- Lane Hutson has 22 points (2+20) in 16 career games against Buffalo, regular season and playoffs.3
Sabres
Out: Rasmus Dahlin (Upper body, won't return to the lineup)3
- Coach Lindy Ruff says the Sabres have to fix their starts.
- Josh Norris was back on the ice at Friday's optional practice after leaving Thursday's game following an awkward hit.
- Buffalo is hopeful Jiri Kulich can rejoin the trip and be an option to play after returning home as a precaution. All tests were negative.
Canadiens
Out: Florian Xhekaj (Expected to miss two weeks with a lower-body injury)2
Buffalo has climbed out of two-goal holes in four games this season, and Lindy Ruff says the start has to be fixed. The Sabres lost the first meeting this week 4-3 in a shootout.3
Sources: 1Montreal Canadiens: BUF@MTL: What you need to know · 2Montreal Canadiens: Lines and defense pairings at practice - Oct. 16 · 3Buffalo Sabres: Sabres at Canadiens | How to watch, lineup notes, and storylines. Lines and availability are the clubs' own and can change before puck drop.
Lineups
The league posts the dressed rosters about an hour before puck drop. They appear here as soon as they are out.
Sabres
Head coach: Lindy Ruff
Canadiens
Head coach: Martin St. Louis
Season series
Canadiens lead the series 1–0
- Oct 13, 2026BUF 3 at MTL 4 (SO)
- Oct 17, 2026Tonight
- Dec 18, 2026MTL at BUF
- Jan 18, 2027MTL at BUF
By the numbers
| Sabres4-3-1 | Canadiens3-3-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0017th | GF / game | 17th3.00 |
| 3.6326th | GA / game | 27th3.86 |
| 10.3%30th | Power play | 27th13.6% |
| 61.5%29th | Penalty kill | 17th80.0% |
| 47.3%26th | Faceoffs | 12th51.7% |
2026-27 regular season, with league rank.
Leaders
2026-27 regular season.
In goal
Sabres
Canadiens
2026-27 regular season. The starter is confirmed at puck drop.
Goals, assists, penalties and the boxscore appear here at puck drop and update while the game is on.
