Overview
- Tage Thompson recorded a hat trick and five points to pace Buffalo in a 5-3 home victory over Montreal.
- Rookie goaltender Jacob Fowler started for the Canadiens, and defenseman Kaiden Guhle returned to the lineup.
- Colten Ellis was in net for the Sabres after Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen started the previous night, with Alex Lyon listed day-to-day.
- Montreal’s scoring included power-play goals from Ivan Demidov and captain Nick Suzuki.
- The result continues Buffalo’s midseason turnaround following a 5-2 win over Philadelphia and strengthens its position in the Atlantic Division battle.