2 -- Number of consecutive years now that the Habs have opened the regular season opposite the Sabres in Buffalo. Montreal were winners of a 4-1 outing in Western New York a year ago to start the 2016-17 campaign, and overall the two teams have met seven times in their season openers.
2 -- Number of ex-Habs on the ice for Buffalo, as Nathan Beaulieu and Benoit Pouliot both suited up against their former team. Josh Gorges is also on the Sabres roster, but was one of the night's scratches on Thursday.
50 -- Approximate number of family and friends Canadiens rookie Victor Mete had in attendance at the KeyBank Center to see him make his NHL debut.