Part two of our 2026 second-round predictions looks at the Canadiens-Sabres series along with the Golden Knights-Ducks series.

A tightly-contested first round came to an end over the weekend with the most lopsided game of the series. But it didn’t matter that the Habs were the weaker team in that game as they eked out the win and are getting ready to take on the Atlantic-winning Sabres in the second round.

Montreal’s shots were few and scoring chances even fewer in Game 7 on Sunday night. However, a pair of fortunate bounces gave them two goals which was enough to secure the victory thanks to another stellar outing from Jakub Dobes. The 2-1 win sends them onto the second round against Buffalo.

The Habs will be facing elimination for the first time this season as they get set to enter Game Seven against the Lightning.  Here are seven keys to move on to the second round against Buffalo.

With the second round getting started this weekend, our writers have made their predictions on the first two matches of the postseason’s second round.

There were plenty of offensive chances on Friday night but none crossed the goal line in regulation. In overtime, it was Gage Goncalves who slipped a shot past Jakub Dobes to give the Lightning the win and send the series to a seventh game.

This week, the NHL has been revealing some of the finalists for its end-of-season awards.  The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy finalists were revealed on Thursday with Habs winger Cole Caufield among them.

The Habs led for most of Wednesday’s Game 5, despite allowing Tampa Bay to tie it twice in the second period. But an early goal from Alexandre Texier proved to be the difference as Montreal held on for the 3-2 victory to give them that same series lead.

Topics in our latest podcast include Montreal’s early-playoff positives and negatives, Noah Dobson’s injury, a theory on why Michael Hage opted to stay in college for another season, and more.

The Habs entered their best-of-seven series against Tampa Bay with some high hopes. It’s now a best-of-three series after this past week but it’s one that Montreal should have some confidence that they can still win.