How to Watch Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens: 2026 NHL Playoff Schedule & Streaming Guide
It’s the Sabres vs. Canadiens in the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs! View the full schedule and learn how to stream every game on ESPN and TNT with Sling TV.
The Buffalo Sabres face the Montreal Canadiens in the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, a faceoff between division rivals who know each other all-too well. Games on ESPN/ESPN2 and TNT/TBS are available with a subscription to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass, or a monthly subscription to Sling Orange, while ABC games are available in designated markets with Sling Blue or Sling Select (no Day Passes). Here’s everything you need to know.
Use the link below to stream the Stanley Cup Playoffs with Sling Orange.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens Second Round Schedule
Sling Orange
Sling Blue
1, 3, & 7 Day Pass
Sling Orange
Sling Blue
1, 3, & 7 Day Pass
Sling Orange
Sling Essentials
1, 3, & 7 Day Pass
Sling Orange
Sling Essentials
1, 3, & 7 Day Pass
Sling Orange
Sling Blue
1, 3, & 7 Day Pass
Sling Orange
Sling Essentials
1, 3, & 7 Day Pass
*If necessary
How to Watch Buffalo vs. Montreal with Sling
Most Second Round games will air on ESPN/ESPN2 or TNT/TBS, so you can watch games on any of those networks by subscribing to Sling Orange. You can also watch games on those channels with a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass subscription.
Weekend games may air on ABC, which is available in select locations with a monthly subscription to Sling Blue or Sling Select (no Day Passes). Those markets include both Montreal and Buffalo, as well as:
Chicago
Fresno
Houston
Los Angeles
New York
San Francisco Bay Area
To watch Second Round games between the Sabres and Canadiens on ESPN/ESPN2 and TNT/TBS with Sling, use the link below to subscribe to Sling Orange!
Sabres vs. Canadiens Preview, Odds and Players to Watch
https://youtu.be/7uwfg6y_aDU?si=kSVYz5xyj1AV6_zo
The Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens meet in the postseason for the first time since 1998 in a highly anticipated Eastern Conference Second Round clash. Buffalo enters the series well-rested after dispatching the Boston Bruins in six games, while Montreal is coming off an emotionally draining, improbable Game 7 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning where they won despite managing just nine shots on goal. The division rivals split their regular-season series evenly at 2-2, with each team successfully defending its home ice. This matchup features a fascinating special teams battle, pitting Montreal's dangerous 19.2% playoff power play against Buffalo's stout 87.5% penalty kill, which will need to compensate for the Sabres' own dismal 4.2% power-play conversion rate. Historically, Montreal holds a 4-3 all-time series edge over Buffalo in the playoffs, but the Sabres swept the Canadiens in their last meeting.
Odds: As of May 4, DraftKings has this series deadlocked, with both teams fetching -110 odds to advance. In terms of winning the Stanley Cup, Buffalo (+1000) has slightly better odds than Montreal (+1100).
Players to Watch
- Alex Lyon (BUF): Took over the starting goaltender job in Game 3 of the first round and dominated, posting a 3-1 record with a 1.14 goals-against average, an elite .955 save percentage, and 4.6 goals saved above expected.
- Nick Suzuki (MTL): The Canadiens captain paced his team in the opening round with six points (one goal, five assists) and historically dominates Buffalo, tallying eight points in four matchups during the regular season.
- Alex Tuch (BUF): Led the Sabres offensively in the first round with seven points (four goals, three assists) and an impressive +8 rating, spearheading Buffalo's dangerous depth scoring.
Series Prediction: Sabres in 6.
Follow this link for more information on how to watch the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs with Sling.