Anaheim Ducks are learning to thrive in playoff pressure heading into Game 3 vs Golden Knights

Montreal Canadiens at Buffalo Sabres

When/Where to Watch: Game 2, Friday, 7 p.m. EDT (TNT, HBO MAX). Despite some lapses, the Buffalo Sabres played to their speedy, up-tempo attacking identity in winning Game 1 against Montreal. It’s the Canadiens’ turn to rediscover their identity while adapting to a different-styled foe following a 4-2 loss on Wednesday. However resilient and capable Montreal was in the first round while grinding out a seven-game win over the slower, heavier and tight-checking Tampa Bay Lightning, the Canadiens need to switch gears against Buffalo. “I can’t say that I learned anything yesterday, but I will tell you that I know we can play with them,” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said. “We’re just going to have to do some things a bit better." A better start would help, as the Sabres built a 2-0 lead in the first period. Although Montreal outshot Buffalo 11-1 in the third period, most of them came from the perimeter. Otherwise, the outcome -- from the Canadiens’ perspective -- was decided on a few unfortunate breaks. Defenseman Lane Hutson fell and coughed up the puck in a turnover that led to Buffalo’s opening goal. Mike Matheson’s clearing attempt was then batted down by Buffalo’s Ryan McLeod, setting up Bowen Byram’s goal that made it 4-1 midway through the second period. “It’s a little bit different, but we know what to expect now,” forward Cole Caufield said in comparing Tampa and Buffalo. After scoring a team-leading 51 goals in the regular season, Caufield placed the emphasis on himself to regain his touch amid a four-game point drought. “As a whole, not where I want it to be. I expect more out of myself, and my teammates do too,” he said. “Just trying to get better every game and just trying to make a difference.” Montreal has yet to win or lose two straight this postseason, and it's coming off a series against Tampa Bay in which all seven games were decided by one goal — including four in regulation. The Sabres also believe they can be better following an outing in which they were limited to a playoff-low 16 shots. “Some of our puck decisions, I thought, weren’t up to the level that we had,” coach Lindy Ruff said, noting a four-day break between games might have played a factor. "I hate to say rust — but you haven’t been up and running, your game tempo isn’t quite there,” he added. “Some of our puck decisions led to opportunities, what I call giving up free offense. It wasn’t from lack of effort.” \\\_ AP Hockey Writer John Wawrow in Buffalo contributed to this report. \\\_ AP NHL: