Sabres second-round playoff schedule set; series to begin Wednesday at KeyBank Center
The NHL has announced the Buffalo Sabres' second-round schedule for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Sabres will host either Montreal or Tampa Bay at 7 p.m. Wednesday at KeyBank Center in Game 1.
The Buffalo Sabres will get a few days off before they resume the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Wednesday. They now know their schedule and just need to learn their next opponent.
The NHL on Saturday night announced its second-round schedules for the playoffs, and the Sabres will open their second-round series against either Tampa Bay or Montreal at 7 p.m. Wednesday at KeyBank Center.
The Sabres defeated the Bruins, 4-1, in Game 6 of a first-round series on Friday at TD Garden in Boston, and won the best-of-seven series, 4-2. Tampa Bay hosts Montreal at 6 p.m. Sunday in Game 7 of their first-round series, and the winner will advance to face the Sabres in the second round.
Sabres left winger Beck Malenstyn, second from right, high-fives defenseman Mattias Samuelsson after
defeating the Bruins 4-1 in Game 6 of the first-round playoff series on Friday in Boston. Harry Scull/Buffalo News
The Sabres will play games every other day after their second-round series begins Wednesday. They will host the Lightning or Canadiens at 7 p.m. Friday, and the series shifts to either Tampa or Montreal for Game 3 at 7 p.m. Sunday.
Game 4 is scheduled for May 12 at either Montreal or Tampa Bay. Game 5 is scheduled for May 14 at Buffalo, Game 6 at either Montreal or Tampa Bay on May 16, and Game 7 at Buffalo on May 18. Times will be announced for Games 4-7 at a later date.
The Sabres will hold home-ice advantage for the second round against either team by virtue of winning the Atlantic Division title.
The Sabres and Canadiens split the season series, 2-2; the Canadiens beat the Sabres 4-2 on Oct. 20 in Montreal and 4-2 on Jan. 31 at KeyBank Center, and the Sabres beat the Canadiens 5-3 on Jan. 15 at KeyBank Center and 4-2 on Jan. 22 at Bell Centre.
The Sabres won the season series against the Lightning, 3-0-1, but if the two teams meet in the second round, it will be one of the more anticipated rematches of the year, given the fact that the two faced each other on March 8 in one of the most animated regular-season games on the NHL schedule.
Josh Doan’s power-play goal with less than five minutes left in regulation lifted the Sabres to an 8-7 win that day at KeyBank Center, in a game punctuated by a combined 15 goals and 28 penalties, including 10 fighting majors.
The win ultimately moved the Sabres into first place in the Atlantic Division that day.
The Lightning beat the Sabres 4-3 in overtime Feb. 3 at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, and the Sabres beat the Lightning 6-2 on Feb. 28 in Tampa and 4-2 April 6 at KeyBank Center.
Sabres second-round schedule
Game 1: Montreal/Tampa Bay at Buffalo 7 p.m. WednesdayGame 2: Montreal/Tampa Bay at Buffalo, 7 p.m. Friday
Game 3: Buffalo at Montreal/Tampa Bay, 7 p.m. Sunday
Game 4: Buffalo at Montreal/Tampa Bay, Time to be announced, May 12
Game 5 (if necessary): Montreal/Tampa Bay at Buffalo, Time to be announced, May 14
Game 6 (if necessary): Buffalo at Montreal/Tampa Bay, time to be announced, May 16
Game 7 (if necessary): Montreal/Tampa Bay at Buffalo, time to be announced, May 18
