This is setting up to be a very special season for the Buffalo Sabres. Not only are they back in the playoffs for the first time since 2011, but they won a series for the first time since 2007. They will now face the Montreal Canadiens in one of the most intriguing matchups of the second round. Both teams are filled with young talent eager to make their mark. These teams are also separated by less than 400 miles, creating a fun rivalry for the fans.
However, lost in all this discussion is the battle between two former teammates. It was not too long ago that Bowen Byram and Alex Newhook were sitting in the same locker room, getting ready for a playoff series.
They were teammates on the Colorado Avalanche from 2020 to 2023. They played in seven playoff series together, winning the Stanley Cup together in 2022. But how did we get here, and what can we expect from them in this series?
The paths that Alex Newhook and Bowen Byram took to get here
Alex Newhook was the first to leave the Avalanche. During the Summer of 2023, the Avs sent Newhook to the Canadiens in exchange for a first and second-round pick, along with a minor league player to be named later. The change of scenery seemed to be what Newhook needed as he tallied 15 goals and 19 assists for 34 points. It is without question the best season of his career. But over these last two seasons, he has never been able to repeat that production. This season, he only registered 13 goals and 12 assists for 25 points.
While his regular season wasn't great, he's fared a little better in the playoffs. He has two points in seven games, including the series-winning goal in the third period of Game 7. The Canadiens hope that this performance sparks something.
The hope is that he can build off this momentum and generate more offense. With him being the second-line center, he needs to start setting up his linemates to put the puck in the back of the net.
Unlike Newhook, Byram was traded midseason. Back in March of 2024, the Avalanche traded Byram to the Sabres in exchange for Casey Mittelstadt. This was supposed to give the Sabres another young defenseman in their top four. So far, this has paid off well for the Sabres.
The 2025-26 season has been one of the best of his career. In 82 games, he racked up 11 goals and 31 assists for 42 points. He also had a 53.30 CF%, a 59.29 SCF%, and a 49.03 xG% according to Natural Stat Trick. He also allowed only 46 scoring chances and 20 high-danger chances.
Byram has been a force this playoffs, recording three goals and two assists for five points. His goals and points total rank in the top three for the Sabres this season. If the Sabres want to beat the Canadiens in this series, they will need Byram to continue at this elite level of play. They need him to continue generating offense at the rate he is and to keep scoring. The Canadiens will have a hard time defending against this, and it should be an advantage for Buffalo.
This upcoming series was already going to be one to watch, but the battle between Newhook and Byram will make it even better. It will be fun to see them go from teammates to adversaries.
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