The Montreal Canadiens host the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night. Montreal is coming off 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers, while Buffalo is on a two-game winning streak after starting the season with three losses.
On Saturday, the Habs held a 2-1 lead through 40 minutes when the Rangers scored three times in the first 5:51 of the final frame to go ahead.
“In the second, they played simple hockey and deep game. We didn’t do our job to take out the puck. It wasn’t always the same player, but when there’s a player that doesn’t do their job to help break the pressure, you’re stuck in your zone longer. You give them the opportunity to stay on the forecheck longer, and the only thing you can do then is clear the puck, but you’re not in position when it exits the zone, and it comes right back,” said Martin St. Louis discussing the loss.
The Canadiens needed some big saves in the third period, and they didn’t get them. The Rangers final two goals deflated any hopes for a home team victory.
“We started off the game with two important goals. It’s unfortunate. I will take the blame. I have to be better. It’s two consecutive games that I have a good two periods, and then it doesn’t go as well in the third period. The guys work hard, they play well on both sides of the ice, and it’s up to me to make the saves,” Samuel Montembeault said (translated from French.)
“It’s a position that doesn’t forgive. It’s not all on [Montembeault]. We could have done better things in front of him,” the coach added.
Medical Updates
The Canadiens will play without Kaiden Guhle for the next four to six weeks due to a lower body injury. Arber Xhekaj returned to the lineup in his place on Saturday, and the team will likely recall a defenceman for the four-game road trip beginning Wednesday. Adam Engstrom and Nate Clurman are on top of the list to get the call from the Laval Rocket.
Up front, Kirby Dach and Patrik Laine missed the game versus the Rangers listed day-to-day with both experiencing lower body injuries. Owen Beck joined the team on an emergency recall basis, and Joe Veleno made his season debut on Saturday.
Rocket Notes
The Laval Rocket swept the home opening weekend at Place Bell with 3-0 and 5-2 wins against the Abbotsford Canucks (Vancouver). Here are some notes from the contests.
- Friday marked Pascal Vincent’s 400th career game as head coach in the AHL.
- Jacob Fowler earned his first regular season pro shutout with 19 saves on Friday. He previously recorded a playoff shutout last season.
- The duo of Jared Davidson and Filip Mesar had a good weekend with each obtaining three points. Owen Beck and Alex Belzile centered their line.
- The Laval Rocket assigned Riley Kidney to the ECHL’s Trois-Rivieres Lions last week. He debuted Friday with an assist and a +3 rating in the 6–5 win.
The Rocket now hit the road for three games, starting Wednesday against the Belleville Senators (Ottawa), followed by a Friday matchup with the Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres), and wrapping up Saturday in Utica against the Comets (New Jersey Devils).
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