The Buffalo Sabres' six-game home winning streak was abruptly halted with a 4-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens at KeyBank Center. Despite the disappointment, the game drew significant attention with scouts from 12 NHL teams, including Anaheim and Toronto, in attendance, hinting at potential trade activity ahead of the fast-approaching NHL Trade Deadline.

General Manager Kevyn Adams is expected to shift to a selling strategy, focusing on player-for-player trades rather than dealing expiring contracts. He has expressed interest in extending contracts for Jason Zucker and Jordan Greenway, contingent on their willingness to remain in Buffalo. Meanwhile, Zucker, who missed the last two games due to a lower-body injury, faces uncertainty as reported negotiations with him have stalled, unlike the ongoing discussions with Greenway. The Sabres must make their players’ contracts more appealing to attract contenders, especially with the recent trades made by other teams, such as the Florida Panthers and Minnesota Wild.