The Montreal Canadiens take on the Buffalo Sabres for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Second Round. Here’s how to watch live on TV.
How to Watch Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres on May 6, 2026
You can watch the Buffalo Sabres take on the Montreal Canadiens live on TNT, truTV, and TNT West with DIRECTV on May 6, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET.
Montreal Canadiens at Buffalo Sabres — Game 1 Preview
The Buffalo Sabres open the Eastern Conference Second Round at home against the Montreal Canadiens at KeyBank Center, with both clubs knowing each other well after splitting the regular season series 2-2. Buffalo earned home ice for this round and will look to press that advantage in the first two games before the series shifts to Montreal.
The Canadiens enter as the road team but arrive with enough talent to take a game in a loud building. The stakes sharpen immediately tonight, as a 1-0 lead in a playoff series always changes the psychological weight of what comes next.
National TV
TNT, truTV, TNT West
What Time is the Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens Game Today?
The Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres game starts at 7:00 PM ET.
Where Can I Watch Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres?
You can watch Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres on TNT, truTV, and TNT West. Out-of-market fans can also subscribe to NHL® CENTER ICE® to catch select live playoff coverage throughout the postseason.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres — 2026 Playoffs Series Schedule
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Venue | TV | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | May 6, 2026 | 7:00 PM | KeyBank Center — Buffalo, NY | TNT, truTV, TNT West | — |
| Game 2 | TBD | TBD | KeyBank Center — Buffalo, NY | TBD | TBD |
| Game 3 | TBD | TBD | Bell Centre — Montreal, QC | TBD | TBD |
| Game 4 | TBD | TBD | Bell Centre — Montreal, QC | TBD | TBD |
| Game 5* | TBD | TBD | KeyBank Center — Buffalo, NY | TBD | TBD |
| Game 6* | TBD | TBD | Bell Centre — Montreal, QC | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7* | TBD | TBD | KeyBank Center — Buffalo, NY | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
Players to Watch: Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres
Montreal Canadiens
Nick Suzuki — C. The Canadiens captain and their most important two-way presence, Suzuki drives Montreal’s offensive structure and is at his best when the game gets physical and contested. His ability to control the pace at center ice makes him the player Buffalo’s defense will need to account for whenever Montreal has possession in the offensive zone.
Buffalo Sabres
Tage Thompson — C. The franchise center who elevated Buffalo’s profile over the last few seasons, Thompson brings a combination of size, skill, and finishing ability that is genuinely difficult to contain. Playing in front of his home crowd for a playoff opener, he’s the player most likely to set the tone for whether the Sabres can take control of this series early.
What is the Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres Series Record?
The Sabres-Canadiens series is heading into Game 1. The two teams split their regular season matchups 2-2 heading into the postseason, leaving no clear edge in recent head-to-head results.
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