The Montreal Canadiens (6-4) will take on the Buffalo Sabers (5-4) in Game 4 of their second-round series on Tuesday, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

The Habs will have a chance to clinch the series with a win, although a third consecutive major league win will be difficult.

While the Sabers won Game 1 after coming from behind significantly, the Canadiens were clearly the better team in Game 2 and Game 3, and outscored the Sabers 11–3 in that span.

Sunday’s game, in particular, was one of the Habs’ most impressive performances, as both the first line and depth players provided vital attacking play. It was the epitome of a complete team effort, and a sign that this very young team is arguably peaking at the right time.

Beyond the skaters’ play, netminder Jacob Dobbs has been excellent, and has managed to improve most of his statistics compared to the regular season. He has become the epitome of consistency for the Canadiens, and although some out-of-town analysts have suggested he may want to tone down the emotional aspect of his playing style, this would weaken not only the player, but the team.

Dobbs is heavily invested in every game and that’s the way he likes it.

And you can’t argue with the results.

Another storyline worth monitoring in Game 4 was the increase in post-whistle violence from Game 3. The Sabers got the ball rolling when Beck Malensteen ran down Dobbs, while Arbor Czekaj responded with an ugly punch straight to the chin of Sam Carrick at the final whistle.

Both players were fined for their actions, which if we’re being honest won’t change a thing going forward. Another surge in fraud is expected on Tuesday.

Possible Lineup Changes

Head coach Martin Saint-Louis rarely changes his lineup after wins, and in the playoffs he keeps his cards incredibly close to his chest. With that in mind, any changes to the lineup will need to be confirmed after both teams take the ice for pre-game warm-ups.

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup

Cole Coffield – Nick Suzuki – Juraj Slafkowski

Alex Newhook – Jake Evans – Ivan Demidov

Alexandre Texier – Philippe Danault – Josh Anderson

Zachary Bolduc – Kirby Dach – Joe Veleno

Mike Matheson – Alexandre Carrier

Lane Hutson – Noah Dobson

Arbor Zekaj – Caden Guhle

jacob dobbs

jacob fowler

Buffalo Sabers Projected Lineup

Peyton Krebs – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch

Jason Zucker – Ryan McLeod – Jack Quinn

Zach Benson – Josh Norris – Josh Doan

Jordan Greenway – Tyson Kozak – Beck Malensteen

Rasmus Dahlin – Mattias Samuelsson

Bowen Byram – Owen Power

Logan Stanley – Connor Timmins

Alex Lyon

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

How to watch Hubs Vs. saber

Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres, Tuesday, May 12, 2026, will be broadcast on CBC, Sportsnet and TVA Sports. A quick recap with highlights will be available on SportsNote once the final whistle blows.

Additional NHL Playoff Analysis

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have poured millions of dollars into their football program, trying to keep pace with other major schools of the NFL era. Unfortunately, in a growing trend, this is going to come at the expense of other Fighting Irish athletic programs.

In a recent episode of Irish Illustrated Insider, 17 Notre Dame sports’ budgets will be cut in future years and that includes reducing the number of scholarships.

RELATED: Notre Dame could lose Marcus Freeman after 2026

Among the reported cuts, the Fighting Irish baseball team’s scholarships will be reduced to 10.2 in future years. Barring a few select programs, the cuts will be felt largely across the board.

There are reportedly only nine Notre Dame sports teams, including football, men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, hockey, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s lacrosse. Additionally, every sport’s budget has either been frozen or reduced, with scholarship cuts also being a part of that equation.

Notre Dame’s baseball program recently reached the College World Series in Omaha in 2022. The program has now lost more than 20 games in four consecutive seasons and will finish 2026 with a losing record in the conference for the third consecutive year.

Unfortunately, Notre Dame is simply following the same path that other major schools have taken. Arkansas announced in April that it was closing its men’s and women’s tennis programs due to financial reasons. In future years, this will mean fewer scholarships available and no sports to play for hundreds of student-athletes across the country.

Meanwhile, the Fighting Irish are projected to spend over $30 million on their football roster this season, and that is believed to be significantly less than what some other schools are spending on their football teams.

This reflects the direction collegiate sports are going, with universities pouring money into sports that generate revenue and cutting budgets for sports programs or eliminating them altogether that do not make money.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

It’s hard to find many supporters for Arne Slott liverpool In this moment of time. The Dutchman is firmly under the microscope, with the Anfield crowd going wild.

But there is one man who believes the Liverpool manager is not getting the respect he deserves. He is his former assistant, Marino Pusic.

He is speaking to Voetbal International This week, admitting that he turned it down Chance to rejoin Liverpool with slot in 2024. Now he wants to defend his friend amid a rising tide of criticism.

A bond made at Feyenoord

Marino Pucic’s admiration for the Liverpool manager is unequivocal. They worked together at Feyenoord, and their time as a pair left a deep impression professionally and personally.

He said, “Working with Arne was a real pleasure.”

“There is a special bond between us. Since then it has become a form of friendship. As far as I am concerned, he is one of the best coaches in the world.”

“I’m talking about his demeanor, his football philosophy, how he expresses it and his manners. I can only speak lyrically about him.”

Liverpool deserve more credit

Despite leading Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season, Arne Slot has faced criticism from the Liverpool fan base this season.

The Reds’ title defense has been nothing short of a disaster, with Liverpool currently 21 points behind Arsenal. They are currently in the battle to qualify for the Champions League, with five points separating them from fourth-placed Aston Villa.

Fifth would secure Champions League football next season. But there is a battle for that place too, with Chelsea one point behind in sixth and Brentford and Everton three points behind in seventh and eighth.

However, Pusic believes the reaction to Liverpool’s form this season has been unfair and historically blind.

“I think Arne deserves a lot more credit than he is getting at Liverpool right now,” he said.

“Many people forget how many times Liverpool have been champions of England in recent decades. Arne did it immediately in his first season, but Jurgen Klopp has also won the Premier League title only once.

“Before this, Liverpool last won the league title in 1990. And now the expectation is that Arne will win the title twice in a row. Especially because a lot of money has been spent. It doesn’t always work out.”

keep calm and carry on

Marino Pusic instead believes Liverpool need stability. This summer is already going to be a big one, with Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson already departing.

Reports have also linked Ellison to a departure. That would leave only Virgil van Dijk from the team that was so successful under Klopp.

Changing the manager will also create more instability. And Pusik doesn’t think that would be a wise move.

He concluded, “It will be good to remain calm at Liverpool and give confidence to Arne and his staff, Sipke Hulshoff and Giovanni van Bronckhorst.”

Just days after Cup Series drivers Daniel Suarez and Ross Chastain got into a post-race confrontation following the Pennzoil 400, 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace became the latest to call attention to the fight in NASCAR and the rulemaking that fines drivers when it happens.

Speaking to Frontstretch.com’s Dalton Hopkins ahead of Saturday’s Cup Series practice and qualifying session at Darlington Raceway, Wallace shared his perspective on whether NASCAR should allow drivers to contend again.

Reality: NASCAR Cup Series debut at Darlington, see where Bubba Wallace starts

“I don’t think so. When you go wrong… I blame my father, but I also respect him for how he was, he was an eye for an eye, okay? When you’re disrespected, it’s a fine line to be a better person or make sure they don’t do it again. … There’s got to be a fine line because it’s going to happen.”

NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace on whether he should be fined for fighting other drivers (H/T Dalton Hopkins of Frontstretch.com)

Last Sunday, Suárez got out of his car and came to confront Chastain on pit road. Moments later, bystanders pushed Chastain away before coming between the two drivers to prevent the incident from escalating. A few days later, Suárez said that he would have fought Chastain if he had not received a fine from NASCAR and the impact the fight could have on sponsors’ interest.

There hasn’t been a fight between NASCAR Cup Series drivers since Ricky Stenhouse Jr. attacked Kyle Busch after the 2024 All-Star Race. Just days after the brawl, NASCAR announced that Stenhouse Jr. was fined $75,000 and two crew members were also suspended for their roles in the brawl.

RELATED: NASCAR Stage Winners 2026, Bubba Wallace Among Stage State Leaders

The great irony, as Chase Elliott later pointed out, was that NASCAR gave Stenhouse the largest fine ever for the fight, but the video was also used in marketing, to generate engagement on social media and it brought more attention to the sport that many company executives wanted.

Speaking to Hopkins, Wallace proposed something that would give fans, drivers and NASCAR what it wants, while also ensuring that no one gets seriously injured. Adopting something along the lines of hockey rules could help drivers deal with what is perceived as persistent disrespect by a co-worker and prevent things from getting worse.

RELATED: NASCAR Power Rankings, Bubba Wallace in top 10 before Darlington

“I think that’s fair but, we’ve always talked about hockey rules. Go on the field and then you can stop it, but there’s got to be a fine line. Because it’s going to happen, you’re going to get disrespected unless it’s behind the scenes and that’s too bad.”

Bubba Wallace on NASCAR’s current rules regarding fighting and the risks of not allowing it

For Wallace, who recently announced he and his wife welcomed their second child on Thursday, a $75,000 fine for settling differences with another driver after a race isn’t fair. If NASCAR ever decides to be a little more lenient in its penalties for fighting, while keeping personnel on the front lines to avoid actual brawls or significant injuries, maybe it could work out for everyone in the long run.

READ MORE: Denny Hamlin praises Bubba Wallace’s improvement

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Just days after Cup Series drivers Daniel Suarez and Ross Chastain got into a post-race confrontation following the Pennzoil 400, 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace became the latest to call attention to the fight in NASCAR and the rulemaking that fines drivers when it happens.

Speaking to Frontstretch.com’s Dalton Hopkins ahead of Saturday’s Cup Series practice and qualifying session at Darlington Raceway, Wallace shared his perspective on whether NASCAR should allow drivers to contend again.

Reality: NASCAR Cup Series debut at Darlington, see where Bubba Wallace starts

“I don’t think so. When you go wrong… I blame my father, but I also respect him for how he was, he was an eye for an eye, okay? When you’re disrespected, it’s a fine line to be a better person or make sure they don’t do it again. … There’s got to be a fine line because it’s going to happen.”

NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace on whether he should be fined for fighting other drivers (H/T Dalton Hopkins of Frontstretch.com)

Last Sunday, Suárez got out of his car and came to confront Chastain on pit road. Moments later, bystanders pushed Chastain away before coming between the two drivers to prevent the incident from escalating. A few days later, Suárez said that he would have fought Chastain if he had not received a fine from NASCAR and the impact the fight could have on sponsors’ interest.

There hasn’t been a fight between NASCAR Cup Series drivers since Ricky Stenhouse Jr. attacked Kyle Busch after the 2024 All-Star Race. Just days after the brawl, NASCAR announced that Stenhouse Jr. was fined $75,000 and two crew members were also suspended for their roles in the brawl.

RELATED: NASCAR Stage Winners 2026, Bubba Wallace Among Stage State Leaders

The great irony, as Chase Elliott later pointed out, was that NASCAR gave Stenhouse the largest fine ever for the fight, but the video was also used in marketing, to generate engagement on social media and it brought more attention to the sport that many company executives wanted.

Speaking to Hopkins, Wallace proposed something that would give fans, drivers and NASCAR what it wants, while also ensuring that no one gets seriously injured. Adopting something along the lines of hockey rules could help drivers deal with what is perceived as persistent disrespect by a co-worker and prevent things from getting worse.

RELATED: NASCAR Power Rankings, Bubba Wallace in top 10 before Darlington

“I think that’s fair but, we’ve always talked about hockey rules. Go on the field and then you can stop it, but there’s got to be a fine line. Because it’s going to happen, you’re going to get disrespected unless it’s behind the scenes and that’s too bad.”

Bubba Wallace on NASCAR’s current rules regarding fighting and the risks of not allowing it

For Wallace, who recently announced he and his wife welcomed their second child on Thursday, a $75,000 fine for settling differences with another driver after a race isn’t fair. If NASCAR ever decides to be a little more lenient in its penalties for fighting, while keeping personnel on the front lines to avoid actual brawls or significant injuries, maybe it could work out for everyone in the long run.

READ MORE: Denny Hamlin praises Bubba Wallace’s improvement

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

on weekends, sports witness TuttoSport covered claims about Tottenham’s interest in Juventus defender Federico Gatti.

Spurs’ move for the Italian was largely dependent on Igor Tudor and whether he would remain beyond the ongoing campaign. He is on a short-term deal but the newspaper highlighted Gattis’ good relationship with the manager.

Against AS Roma at the weekend, the defender shone for Juve. He came off the bench after just 90 minutes and scored the stoppage-time equaliser. He also scored against Galatasaray in a dramatic Champions League playoff second leg.

With his future in doubt amid talk of Tottenham, Gatty’s father has come out to fight for him.

Gatti is fighting for Juve

Spoke to the centre-back’s father Ludovic tuttosport About his son’s struggles over the past few months. He explained in detail about his injury problems and what he had to go through to prove many people wrong.

He said: “It’s been an unlucky year for my son. Last season it cost him an injury in the spring which affected him under Tudor. He’s carried that problem with him into this season, then a bad flu when Spalletti arrived in November and finally a meniscus.”

Ludovic also praised the Italy defender’s attitude, making it clear that Luciano Spalletti was not playing him well enough.

“Now he is bitter because he wants to play more, but it would be strange if he did not: fortunately he does not accept this fate, thank God, because professionals should always aim for the best.”

Gatti’s father also appeared to have a message for the likes of Tottenham, making it clear the player wants to make his mark in Turin.

“He doesn’t care about a good contract: he wants to feel alive with the satisfaction of playing, so he will fight to get his place back“

Gatti is a fighter

The 27-year-old has never been technically exceptional but has always performed well as a pure defender. His recent rise also reflects his mentality, especially since Gatti never looked like a strong starter for Spalletti.

The defender has had quite a humble journey in the game and his fighting attitude reflects that. Unfortunately, his shortcomings on the ball can let him down, as Spalletti generally prefers technically strong defenders.

While the player’s father wants the best for him, the Italy international may actually be for sale.

His contract in Turin expires in 2030 and this could prove profitable for Juve. The Bianconeri paid an initial €7.5m to sign him in 2022 and if a club like Tottenham meets their asking price, the Old Lady will make a huge capital gain.

Tactically and financially, his exit would make sense for Spalletti’s side.

Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion and AEW alum Jake Hager is officially returning to the world of combat sports, but not in the way many fans were expecting.

During an appearance on TMZ’s Inside the Ring podcast, the 43-year-old revealed that he has signed a six-appearance contract with Dana White’s Power Slap promotion. Hager is scheduled to make his heavyweight division debut on April 17, 2026 in Las Vegas – the Friday night of WrestleMania 42 weekend – in an event that will be broadcast live on YouTube. Hager’s transition into the controversial world of slap fighting was facilitated by a familiar face from his professional wrestling past.

Sin Bodhi, known to WWE fans as Kizarni, currently serves as the head of talent relations and recruiter for Power Slap. Bodhi, who has been vocal about his goal of bringing “monsters and villains” from the wrestling world into the promotion, targeted Hager as his top recruit for the 2026 season.

“I’m very excited to announce that I have signed with UFC Power Slap, and they are doing a show at Vegas Live on April 17th. It’s the Friday before Mania. I will be competing on that show in the heavyweight division,” Hager announced. “I’ve been told my face is pretty slappable, so I’m sure the line will be around the corner.”

Despite the ongoing medical investigation and high risk of injury surrounding slap fighting, Hager shared a lack of concern about potential injuries. The former “All-American” said he understands the inherent risks and trusts the organization to provide the necessary medical coverage. Hager also took the opportunity to officially rule out an MMA comeback, citing his age and desire to step away from the grueling training camps required by the cage.

“I mean, you know what you signed up for. You’re signing up to get slapped and try to slap somebody as hard as possible. So I expect injuries. I know the UFC does a pretty good job of covering all the expenses related to injuries. Honestly, I’m not worried about it.”

While his MMA career – in which he suffered a 3-0 no-contest loss in Bellator – is likely over, Hager hinted that a return to professional wrestling is a possibility. Since his AEW contract expires in June 2024, Hager has spent time away from the ring managing his Florida-based trucking company, “Howlin’ Oats”. However, he said that his body is feeling much better after the hiatus and he is ready to take bookings again.

Arsenal’s position in the race for Julian Alvarez has been strengthened by fresh comments from Spanish journalist Guille Casquero, while Chelsea appear to sit one rung below the current hierarchy of interest.

talking to As Regarding the striker position, Casquero was clear about which clubs are pushing most. He said: “I know Barcelona wants him, Arsenal want him and PSG want him. All three want him strongly.”

Therefore, Arsenal were clearly placed among the clubs with strong intentions. Chelsea were not mentioned in that group.

It’s in line with what we have Covered by Argentina from North London. Arsenal have already shown solid financial ambition with an offer of €100m (£85m) plus €20m (£17m) which was rejected by Atletico Madrid. That move put him in direct conflict with the Spanish club’s stance.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have been linked through advanced contactsBut without the same level of public financial commitment. Casquero’s determination shows that Arsenal are seen as the more decisive actor on the outside in this race.

Atletico aware of pressure amid Arsenal interest

Casquero also made it clear that Atletico are fully aware of the level of attention around their forward.

He said: “I know that Atlético Madrid knows that Barcelona, ​​Arsenal and PSG, in my opinion, in that order, are very attentive to Julian.”

However, the situation is not straightforward for any lover. Importantly, Casquero provided insight into Álvarez’s mentality.

“Knowing Julian and knowing his family, Madrid is a very good fit for him. He loves living in Madrid and I think he wants things to be very good for him at Atletico Madrid.”

He continued: “He doesn’t want to go to Atlético without becoming a recognized champion. This has happened at every club he has gone to and he doesn’t want to break that sequence.”

In fact, Casquero even said: “I’m sure he wants to succeed at Atletico before going anywhere else.”

These nuances matter equally to Arsenal and Chelsea. While Arsenal have demonstrated financial strength and are clearly regarded as a strong contender, the player himself is not agitating for a move. However, the gunners are strongly positioned.

The challenge looks big for Chelsea. They are not among the club’s strongest forwards and currently look less than forceful in the fight, so they appear to be working through the lines and from the back.