If the Canadiens want any chance of clawing back into the playoff picture, they’ll need to collect points in their coming home-and-home series against the Eastern Conference cellar-dwelling Buffalo Sabres.
The two clubs face-off on Saturday night at KeyBank Center. Puck drop at 7 p.m. (CityTV, SNE, RDS, TSN Radio 690, 98.5 FM).
Entering the day, the Habs sat five points back of the final wild-card spot with three games remaining before the NHL trade deadline.
Montreal will be without centre Kirby Dach for the rest of the season after he underwent surgery on his right knee.
Jakub Dobes will get the start in goal. The rookie netminder last suited up on Feb 9.