Matchup: Buffalo Sabres (11-16-4) at Montreal Canadiens (11-16-3)
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 17, 2024 | 7:00 PM ET
Location: Bell Centre | Montreal, QC
TV Coverage: MSG (Buffalo broadcast market) | Pregame at 6:30 PM
Streaming: ESPN+ (Out-of-market viewers)
Radio Broadcast: WGR 550 AM
The Buffalo Sabres arrive at Bell Centre tonight at a crossroads. Mired in a winless streak that has stretched to 10 games (0-7-3), they face a Montreal Canadiens team eager to leapfrog them in the Atlantic Division standings. A loss in any fashion would leave Buffalo dead last, tying them in points with Montreal but ceding the tiebreaker after the Canadiens’ 7-5 triumph in their earlier meeting.
The Sabres, now 11-16-4, have struggled mightily in December, plagued by blown leads and an inability to maintain focus through full 60-minute contests. Tonight’s matchup, which could be dubbed “a battle for the basement,” offers a rare opportunity to turn the tide against a vulnerable Montreal squad that has dropped two straight.
Sabres’ Plight: A Spiraling Season
Buffalo’s collapse has been startling. They’ve scored first in seven of their last 10 games but repeatedly faltered as opponents apply pressure in the middle and late periods. A 5-3 loss in Toronto on Sunday was the latest example, as an early 3-1 lead evaporated in less than three minutes of second-period chaos.
This trend reveals a major concern: while Buffalo’s 33 first-period goals rank among the NHL’s best, their combined 77 goals against in the second and third periods highlight the cracks in both structure and mentality. Lindy Ruff’s team can’t afford another collapse tonight.
The Sabres’ top performers have done their best to stem the bleeding. Tage Thompson has been consistent, currently riding a four-game point streak (2+2), and remains their best weapon up front. Thompson is no stranger to success against Montreal and will look to maintain momentum against a defense prone to lapses.
Meanwhile, Alex Tuch has quietly dominated the Canadiens over his career. In their last nine meetings, Tuch has amassed 13 points (2+11), exploiting gaps and creating chances with his physical presence and playmaking ability. He’ll be a focal point tonight as Buffalo searches for answers.
Further down the lineup, Bowen Byram has found his groove offensively, tallying assists in three consecutive games—the longest such streak of his career. His puck-moving ability will be essential against a Montreal team that thrives in transition.
Jason Zucker is another bright spot. With three goals and four assists in his last seven outings, Zucker has injected timely offense when the Sabres have needed it most. He’ll need to continue that production to help lift Buffalo out of its funk.
Montreal: Opportunistic Yet Vulnerable
The Canadiens, at 11-16-3, haven’t fared much better this season, though their 7-5 win over Buffalo on Nov. 11 was a showcase of their opportunistic offense. Captain Nick Suzuki and sharpshooter Cole Caufield combined for four goals in that meeting, repeatedly exposing Buffalo’s defensive breakdowns. Montreal’s ability to strike quickly on the rush will once again test Buffalo’s reeling blue line.
Rookie defenseman Lane Hutson has also been a revelation. His 19 assists lead all NHL rookies, and his offensive instincts make him a dangerous option on Montreal’s power play. Hutson’s recent first NHL goal signals a player growing in confidence as the season progresses.
Despite these flashes of brilliance, Montreal remains inconsistent. A humiliating 9-2 home loss to Pittsburgh just days ago underscored their defensive vulnerabilities. The Sabres must capitalize on Montreal’s mistakes early and often if they hope to finally reverse their fortunes.
Lineup Notes: Missing Leaders, Hope on the Horizon
Buffalo’s defensive core remains thin without captain Rasmus Dahlin, who has missed six games with back spasms. Dahlin skated this morning and is eyeing a return later this week, but his absence tonight will once again leave the Sabres’ blue line stretched. Expect Owen Power and Byram to carry heavy minutes as they try to contain Suzuki and Caufield.
In net, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start for Buffalo. His 8-9-3 record and .903 save percentage don’t tell the full story; Luukkonen has kept Buffalo competitive in many games, but lapses in front of him have magnified every goal allowed.
Montreal counters with Sam Montembeault. Despite his 3.01 goals-against average, Montembeault remains capable of stealing games when the Canadiens’ offense provides enough cushion.
Buffalo could also see lineup changes after forward Jordan Greenway left the morning skate early and is considered doubtful. Connor Clifton, a healthy scratch on Sunday, is likely to rejoin the defensive rotation tonight.
Projected Lineups for Today’s Game – Courtesy of NHL.com
Sabres projected lineup
Zach Benson — Tage Thompson — Alex Tuch
Jack Quinn — Dylan Cozens — JJ Peterka
Ryan McLeod — Jiri Kulich — Jason Zucker
Beck Malenstyn — Peyton Krebs — Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Mattias Samuelsson — Owen Power
Dennis Gilbert — Connor Clifton
Scratched: Jacob Bryson
Injured: Rasmus Dahlin (back spasms), Sam Lafferty (lower body), Jordan Greenway (middle body)
Canadiens projected lineup
Cole Caufield — Nick Suzuki — Juraj Slafkovsky
Alex Newhook — Kirby Dach — Patrik Laine
Josh Anderson — Christian Dvorak — Brendan Gallagher
Emil Heineman — Jake Evans — Joel Armia
Scratched: Michael Pezzetta, Jayden Struble
Injured: None
Keys to the Game
- Win the Second Period: Buffalo’s struggles in the middle frame have been their undoing. Surviving Montreal’s inevitable push after the first intermission is critical to maintaining control of the game.
- Neutralize Montreal’s Transition: Suzuki and Caufield thrive on turnovers and quick rushes. Buffalo must minimize risky passes and commit to a structured, physical game in the neutral zone.
- Power Play Urgency: Buffalo’s power play has languished at just 14.6%, one of the league’s worst. Against Montreal’s solid penalty kill, capitalizing on man-advantage opportunities could tilt the game in Buffalo’s favor.
- Start Strong, Finish Stronger: Buffalo’s impressive first periods have set positive tones in games, but the Sabres must build on those leads instead of crumbling under pressure. Staying disciplined in the final 40 minutes will be key.
The Bottom Line
Tonight’s game is about more than standings—it’s about pride and survival. For Buffalo, snapping this 10-game winless streak would serve as a much-needed reset before the season slips further out of reach. Montreal, meanwhile, is hungry to leapfrog their divisional rival and claw back some respect after recent stumbles.
Whether it’s Thompson continuing his point streak, Tuch dominating against Montreal once again, or Luukkonen standing tall in net, Buffalo needs someone—anyone—to take the reins and lead them out of this slump.
With 51 games still to play, hope is not lost, but it’s dwindling fast. The time for change is now.
Stay tuned to Sabres Insight for postgame coverage and analysis.
