Oliver Kapanen could enter Canadiens lineup for Game 7 vs. Sabres

oliver kapanen is in the spotlight as Brendan Gallagher is being considered for the Canadiens lineup in Game 7 against the Sabres on May 18, 2026. Montreal is weighing a change after Game 6, with Joe Veleno’s health pushing the discussion toward a possible shuffle up front.

Gallagher in Montreal’s mix

Martin St-Louis had not changed the lineup during the series except when he called up Jacob Fowler on Saturday. That makes the Gallagher discussion the clearest sign that Montreal may be prepared to alter its forward group before a decisive night in Buffalo.

Elliotte Friedman raised the possibility on 32 Thoughts, and the case for moving Gallagher back in is tied to what he has already provided this season. He gave Montreal an immediate spark in Game 82 and again in Game 5 against the Lightning.

Veleno’s health matters

Joe Veleno’s condition may leave St-Louis with little choice. If Veleno cannot go, the Canadiens would have a direct opening for a lineup change rather than a purely strategic switch.

Gallagher is not the easiest fit against a fast team like the Sabres, though. He was described as slow compared with Buffalo’s pace, which is the trade-off Montreal has to weigh against the energy he has shown in smaller bursts.

The Canadiens also were not practicing that day, so the team had to wait to see whether Gallagher skated with the extras in Buffalo that morning before drawing any conclusions. That detail leaves the decision anchored to the ice, not to talk, and it turns the morning skate into the clearest sign of whether Montreal will keep the same group or add another veteran voice for Game 7.