The Montreal Canadiens are on a collision course with the Buffalo Sabres this postseason. Both clubs have officially clinched their respective tickets to the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. But the only thing remaining is to determine the final seeding.
As it stands following Tuesday night’s action, the Sabres and Canadiens are tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning with 102 points atop the Atlantic Division. But due to regulation wins being the main tiebreaker, the Lightning get the top spot.
That situation leaves the Canadiens and Sabres to face off as the second and third seeds in the Atlantic.
If that’s the case, the Habs will be looking to get their revenge on the Sabres.
The last time these two clubs met in the NHL playoffs was in 1998. At that time, the Sabres were a dominant team, led by Hall of Fame goalie Dominik Hasek.
In that 1998 postseason, the one in which the Sabres would make it to the Eastern Conference Final, the Canadiens and Sabres met in the second round. And Buffalo swept Montreal in four.
That’s why the Habs will be looking to get payback. That playoff sweep, even if it happened almost 30 years ago, is something this iteration of Montreal players would like to avenge.
Playoff Spots Can Still Change for Canadiens
With four games left in the regular season, the Canadiens are essentially guaranteed one of the top three seeds in the Atlantic Division.
However, things can still change. The Habs have an opportunity to win the division. If that’s the case, then Montreal and Buffalo could meet in the second round, just like they did in 1998. Also, the Sabres could win the division, setting up a first-round matchup between Montreal and Tampa Bay.
Alternatively, the Sabres and Canadiens could spend the next week or so jockeying for position. The Habs have one more crucial divisional matchup, as they take on the Lightning on Thursday night. That game could essentially determine if the Habs take the division or not.
Meanwhile, the Habs’ final three games are against Metro Division rivals. While the games matter, they won’t represent heated divisional matchups.
That said, each game will be important insofar as determining the final playoff seedings.
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Habs Facing a Team of Destiny
The Canadiens could be facing a team of destiny in the Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo has returned to the NHL playoffs for the first time in almost 15 years. As such, they’re an inspired crew looking to make a name for themselves in the league.
There’s no question that this iteration of the Sabres will be looking to make as deep a playoff run as possible.
That’s why Buffalo could be the most dangerous team the Canadiens could face. Unlike a veteran team in the Lightning, the Sabres are the hungriest of all. And that makes them an extremely tough opponent to face.
If the Habs and Sabres do meet in the first round, it could be one of the most entertaining playoff series in this year’s playoff schedule. It will be a shame to see one of two very good teams head out the door in the first round.
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