BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Tage Thompson #72 of the Buffalo Sabres scores an empty net goal during the third period of an NHL game against the Montréal Canadiens at KeyBank Center on January 15, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won 5-3. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Alex Tuch #89 of the Buffalo Sabres defends against Cole Caufield #13 of the Montréal Canadiens during the third period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on January 15, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won 5-3. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Colten Ellis #92 of the Buffalo Sabres leaves the crease to defend against Oliver Kapanen #91 of the Montréal Canadiens during the third period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on January 15, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won 5-3. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Brendan Gallagher #11 of the Montréal Canadiens defends against Rasmus Dahlin #26 of the Buffalo Sabres during the second period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on January 15, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Mike Matheson #8 of the Montréal Canadiens stops in front of Jacob Fowler #32 to defend against Tage Thompson #72 and Zach Benson #6 of the Buffalo Sabres during the second period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on January 15, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Tyson Kozak #48 of the Buffalo Sabres controls the puck in front of Alexandre Carrier #45 of the Montréal Canadiens during the second period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on January 15, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Oliver Kapanen #91 of the Montréal Canadiens defends against Zach Metsa #73 of the Buffalo Sabres during the second period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on January 15, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Alexandre Texier #85 of the Montréal Canadiens defends against Beck Malenstyn #29 of the Buffalo Sabres during the first period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on January 15, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)