The Canadiens' last loss in Buffalo came as they started on their rebuild, and though their road has been longer, the Sabres have caught up.

The Montreal Canadiens had a must-win game against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night, but they couldn't deliver. Buffalo was the better of the two sides and deservedly got the two points.

MTL 3, BUF 5 | Period 3, 18:20 (EN) – Tage Thompson (25) from Zach Benson (17) The Sabres conclude their five-game homestand on Saturday for Kids Takeover Day against the Minnesota Wild. Tickets are available here. Coverage on MSG begins at noon with puck drop set for 12:30 p.m.

With 18 members of a team that reached the 2006 Eastern Conference final looking on, Tage Thompson had a 5-point night.

The surging Buffalo Sabres (25-16-4, 54 points) play the back end of a home back-to-back on Thursday night when they host the Montreal Canadiens (26-14-7, 59 points) at KeyBank Center in an Atlantic Division matchup.

Tage Thompson had a hat trick and two assists as the Sabres beat the Canadiens 5-3 and won their 15th game in the last 17 Thursday night.

The Canadiens lost in the trenches, on the forecheck, and were ground down by the Sabres. Something has to change. Eric Engels breaks down the Habs' need for a change to their third line after a costly loss.

The Buffalo Sabres' recent surge and a reunion of the team's 2005-06 roster offered coach Lindy Ruff a chance to reflect and a glimpse into what could be a bright future.

Our Canadiens vs. Sabres predictions expect Habs second-liner Oliver Kapanen to keep shooting in a friendly matchup.