A game stretching beyond thin ice. NHL teams Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres are embroiled in a tense playoff tie, and local businesses are upping the ante.

Owners and restaurants are making rebrands and pulling items off the menu ahead of Friday’s playoff tie. To no one’s surprise, businesses in Buffalo and Montreal are all in on postseason stakes — in more ways than one. 

Among these hijinks, Cunningham’s Pub in Montreal was quick to tinker its menu. Leading up to the game, the bar renamed its buffalo wings to “Montreal Wings”. But no item is safe, with owner Austin Beauchamp more than definitive in showcasing his love for the Canadiens.

“We’re banning the buffalo wing sauce, the buffalo wraps, the buffalo poutine, the buffalo chicken burger, we’re changing the name,” he said, as reported by WHEC. “We’re still serving the sauces, but it’s not going to be called buffalo.”

With “dobes poutines” and “arber chicken wrap” joining the ranks, Cunningham’s proudly announced the change on a Facebook post.

“Same great taste,” the post read. “Just absolutely nothing to do with Buffalo any more.”

But they are certainly not alone.

Echoing the charge, Renzo Sandwich on St. Laurent Blvd posted a video featuring someone wearing a Canadiens jersey, only with the “Buffalo” part of “Poulet Buffalo” covered. Meanwhile, Restaurant Les Ailes Buffalo Shawinigan switched its logo and replaced “Buffalo” with “Montreal.” 

Rivalry goes both ways, however.

Not to be outdone, Dash Market in Buffalo has retaliated and pulled Montreal Steak Seasoning from its shelves. Director of operations Tony Pacella insisted the store wants to “play along.”

“If they’re going to take it off the menus, we’re going to take it off ourselves,” he remarked, as reported by WYSL."This is all in good fun, but Go Sabres!"

Pacella also recalled the store pulling off KC Masterpiece Barbecue sauce during NFL playoffs a few years ago.

The Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens haven’t crossed paths in the postseason since 1998, but the two fanbases aren’t shy of throwing down the gauntlet.

Canadiens and Sabres set for Friday clash

Away from food wars and back on the rink, the Canadiens must regroup and level the tie against the Sabres. Down 1-0 after an underwhelming Game 1, Nick Suzuki and co. must step up to save their dreams of winning the Stanley Cup — their first since 1993.

Heading into Game 2, Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis is confident his team can overturn the odds and learn from their loss.

“I’m confident we can play the game in front of us, and I’m confident we can learn from this.” he said, as reported by NHL writer Mike Zeisberger. “We're going to keep going.”

Although a setback, the Canadiens have yet to lose consecutive games in the postseason. 

On the other hand, the Buffalo Sabres had a great night. Coach Lindy Ruff’s team raced to a 2-0 lead in the first 13 minutes and finished with an impressive 4-2 win.

“I like the quick start we got off to. I know we can be a lot better," Ruff stated in the post-game press conference.

With fans and businesses seeking bragging rights, both teams will hope to deliver a blockbuster performance.

Read more at NHL Fan Central!

Written by

Sijo Paul

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason