Buffalo, N.Y. – An exciting evening is expected at the arena as the Buffalo Sabres prepare for a significant matchup against the Montreal Canadiens. The Sabres are celebrating 2005-06 Reunion Night, welcoming back fan favorites such as Ryan Miller, Max Afinogenov, Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville, Brian Campbell, and Jay McKee. However, notable absentees among the alumni are co-captains Danny Briere and Chris Drury, who are now general managers for the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers, respectively.
The Sabres come into the game after a mixed start to the season, having lost to Montreal 4-2 earlier. With the Canadiens currently in second place in the Atlantic Division with a .628 points percentage, the Sabres are just ahead in Wild Card position No. 1 in the Eastern Conference at .600. A regulation victory for Buffalo could shift them to .609 points, closing the gap behind Montreal, which would fall to .615.
Buffalo has proven its resilience, having won 14 of its last 16 games despite some recent setbacks, including a loss after a ten-game winning streak. They quickly bounced back with three consecutive victories, including a strong showing against the Flyers in which they won 5-2.
In terms of player status, there are uncertainties about Josh Norris and Michael Kesselring, who were both evaluated ahead of tonight’s game. Norris left Wednesday’s game due to a cross-check, while Kesselring’s availability remains uncertain as Coach Lindy Ruff has been cautious about bringing him back from injury too quickly.
The Sabres have shown improvement on the power play after struggling for ten games, scoring two goals in six attempts in their last match. Ryan McLeod continues to shine, currently tied for the NHL lead with four shorthanded goals and racking up 15 points in his last 16 games. Both Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch are on five-game point streaks, while Josh Doan maintains a steady scoring touch with contributions in six out of seven recent games.
Goaltending decisions loom for Ruff as he weighs the effectiveness of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who is on a roll with a 6-1-0 record in his last seven games, against Colten Ellis, who has struggled in his past two starts.
As for the Canadiens, who sit sixth overall in the NHL, they’ve won four of their last six games, though they have the upper hand in recent meetings with five consecutive victories over the Sabres. The Canadiens are navigating a three-goaltender rotation, with Sam Montembeault leading the way in recent performance.
The showdown promises to be thrilling, especially with the added nostalgia of the reunion night. Tune in to “Schopp and the Bulldog” at 6 p.m. for pregame coverage, including interviews with alumni attending the event. As the Sabres seek to improve their standings and celebrate their history, fans can look forward to an evening filled with hope and excitement.