The Canadiens welcome the Sabres for the second time in less than a week and for a second consecutive matchup. Lindy Ruff’s men will be without the services of Rasmus Dahlin, who did not make the trip with the team. In the first game between the two teams on Tuesday night at the Bell Centre, the Habs triumphed by a score of 4-3 in a shootout.
Even if Marty St-Louis didn’t know who was going to be in net for his team when asked yesterday afternoon, I’m convinced his choice was already made. The Tricolore’s head coach confirmed this morning that Jacob Fowler will get the start for a very important game tonight, even if it’s only the eighth game of the season. The Sabres hold a two-point lead in the standings; however, the Habs have a game in hand. A loss in regulation combined with a Wings win tonight and the Canadiens would find themselves last in the Atlantic!
Already there’s grumbling among the fans, not to say panic. I don’t even dare imagine what would be said on social media, podcasts, etc., if such a scenario ever happened.
After watching the game from the top of the press box following his recall from the Rockets, David Reinbacher will play his first game of the season in the NHL and his first since April 14, 2026. Adam Engstrom, who didn’t look bad in my humble opinion, will give him his spot. After missing the first seven games of his team, Oliver Kapanen will play his first game of the season—he had been day-to-day for three weeks now! Juraj Slafkovsky, who did not take part in yesterday’s practice, will be in the lineup, which means it’s no surprise that Owen Beck will be the forward left out.
Projected lines for the Habs:
Cole Caufield -- Nick Suzuki -- Juraj Slafkovsky
Chris Kreider -- Alex Newhook -- Josh Anderson
Zachary Bolduc -- Phillip Danault -- Alexandre Texier
Kirby Dach -- Jake Evans -- Oliver Kapanen
Lane Hutson -- Noah Dobson
Kaiden Guhle -- Alexandre Carrier
Arber Xhekaj -- David Reinbacher
Jacob Fowler
Jakub Dobes
Had it not been for the two quick goals early in the third in the last matchup, the Canadiens would have easily disposed of the Sabres, who were completely dominated in that game, as shown by the shots on goal 38-16 in favor of the Canadiens, including 5-0 in overtime. That said, we shouldn’t take the Sabres lightly, as they staged a comeback against the Leafs to win in overtime on Thursday while trailing 4-2.
Projected lines for Buffalo:
Peyton Krebs -- Tage Thompson -- Josh Doan
Zach Benson -- Noah Ostlund -- Jack Quinn
Ryan McLeod -- Jiri Kulich -- Konsta Helenius
Beck Malenstyn -- Josh Norris -- Justin Danforth
Olen Zellweger -- Mattias Samuelsson
Owen Power -- Zach Metsa
Dennis Gilbert -- Louis Crevier
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Colten Ellis
Players to watch:
In the last victory by the Habs on Tuesday, Tage Thompson was limited to a single shot on goal in 22:26, and if Marty St-Louis’s group hopes to win, they’ll have to do the same again tonight. Thompson has scored four times and added ourafssists in eight games this season.
On the Flanelle side, I don’t need to remind you that it’s Saturday and I’m expecting a big game from Mr. Saturday Night. In the 4-3 win on Tuesday, Caufield finished his evening’s work with 1 goal, 1 assist, and 5 shots on goal.
Season prediction: 4-3
Guaranteed win: 1-0
Prediction:
BUF – 2
MTL – 3
With that, have a good rest of your day everyone and enjoy the game tonight.