Sabres-Canadiens Round Two Preview

The Sabres' hard-fought victory over the Bruins in seven games sets the stage for a high-stakes Round Two showdown with the Montreal Canadiens, and the Instigator Podcast dives deep into what makes this series one of the most anticipated in the NHL playoffs. While the Sabres dominated possession and forechecking in their series against Boston, the podcast argues they were undone by poor finishing and exceptional goaltending from Jeremy Swayman—highlighting that the Bruins were more of an underdog story than their performance warranted. Now, facing a Canadiens team with a young, skilled roster and a goaltender who has a perfect 3-0 record against Buffalo in the playoffs, the Sabres face a tougher challenge. Jacob Dobesh’s 923 save percentage and elite track record against Buffalo loom large, making him the Canadiens’ biggest wildcard. The episode emphasizes that this series will hinge on special teams, with Montreal’s high-powered power play posing a serious threat to Buffalo’s penalty kill, while also questioning whether the Sabres can adjust their aggressive forecheck strategy against a more mobile and capable Montreal defense. The hosts debate lineup options, including the potential debut of Black Ace Consta Hellenius and the return of Sam Carrick, while expressing cautious optimism about Buffalo’s depth and resilience.