Buffalo @ Montreal preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 23, 2018 ) Montreal 2, Buffalo 3

The Montreal Canadiens have battled back from a mini-swoon to post back-to-back victories and slide into the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. Montreal can hardly rest easy, though, sitting one point clear of ninth-place Columbus as it prepares to wrap up the season series against the visiting Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.

The Canadiens had scored eight times while losing four of five before rebounding with impressive victories over Philadelphia (3-1) and the New York Islanders (4-0). "Now we got our confidence back and we're not scared to make mistakes," forward Jonathan Drouin said. "We're playing to win. The last couple of games have been different." Montreal has lost all three meetings with Buffalo -- each by one goal -- but the teams have not played since Nov. 23. The Sabres has collapsed down the stretch, losing 14 of 17 (3-12-2) and going 12 games without posting a regulation victory.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG-Buffalo, TVAS, CITY, Sportsnet East (Montreal)

ABOUT THE SABRES (31-33-9): Coach Phil Housley broke up his slumping top line during Wednesday's 4-2 loss versus Toronto and elevated Alexander Nylander and Conor Sheary to flank captain Jack Eichel at Friday's practice. "I’m going to approach it the same," Sheary said of playing alongside Eichel. "He obviously has the ability to find you in places that sometimes you wouldn’t even expect the puck. Try to get open and find that soft area for him." Forward Sam Reinhart has been limited to two assists in 10 games in March.

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (39-28-7): Mired in a dreadful slump in which he was held off the scoresheet for nine consecutive games and 16 of 17, Drouin finally emerged from his funk with a goal and an assist in Thursday's rout of the Islanders. "He was frustrated because he wasn't scoring," coach Claude Julien said of Drouin, whose only offensive output during the 17-game stretch was a four-assist outing. "If this allows him to get his swagger back, good for him because it's the perfect time." Jordan Weal also collected a goal and an assist, matching his output from the previous 10 games combined.

OVERTIME

1. Canadiens G Carey Price allowed six goals in a loss to Buffalo on Nov. 8 -- as many as he allowed in his last five starts overall.

2. Sabres F Jeff Skinner has four goals and three assists in three meetings this season but has scored only once in the past 16 games.

3. Canadiens F Shea Weber has scored in back-to-back games and has four goals in his last eight.

PREDICTION: Canadiens 4, Sabres 2