Canadiens and Sabres Face Off in Key Eastern Conference Matchup

Find out how to watch the NHL showdown between the two playoff contenders on January 31.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 11:55am

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The Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens, two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, will meet on January 31 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET and will be televised on NHL Network.

Why it matters

This is an important game between two teams jockeying for playoff position in the Eastern Conference. Both the Sabres and Canadiens have 67 points and are looking to gain ground in the standings as the season winds down.

The details

The Sabres will be without several key players due to injuries, including Conor Timmins, Josh Dunne, Jiri Kulich, Jacob Bryson, Justin Danforth, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. The Canadiens will also be missing Patrik Laine and Alexander Newhook.

  • The game is scheduled for January 31, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET.

The players

Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres are currently fourth in the Eastern Conference with 67 points.

Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens are fifth in the Eastern Conference with 67 points.

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The takeaway

This game between the Sabres and Canadiens is a crucial one for both teams as they look to solidify their playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. Fans will want to tune in to see which team can come out on top in this key late-season matchup.