Buffalo hosts Montreal to open the second round
Montreal Canadiens (48-24-10, in the Atlantic Division) vs. Buffalo Sabres (50-23-9, in the Atlantic Division) Buffalo, New York; Wednesday, 7 p. m.
EDT LINE: Sabres -130, Canadiens +109; over/under is 5. 5 NHL PLAYOFFS SECOND ROUND: Sabres host series opener BOTTOM LINE: The Buffalo Sabres host the Montreal Canadiens to start the Eastern Conference second round. The teams meet Saturday for the fifth time this season.
The teams tied the regular season series 2-2. In their last regular season meeting on Feb. 31, the Canadiens won 4-2.
Buffalo has a 20-7-5 record in Atlantic Division games and a 50-23-9 record overall. The Sabres have an 18-5-5 record in games they score one or more power-play goals. Montreal has gone 48-24-10 overall with a 20-10-3 record against the Atlantic Division.
The Canadiens are fifth in NHL play serving 10. 4 penalty minutes per game. TOP PERFORMERS: Josh Doan has scored 26 goals with 26 assists for the Sabres.