Rinse and Repeat: Montreal Canadiens Lose to Buffalo Again…

For the 2nd straight night, the Montreal Canadiens found a way to lose to the Buffalo Sabres. There are games you win that you should lose, and games you lose that you should have won. This game was one that they should have won. Let’s take a look at how they managed to lose this game in the shootout.

Nov 29, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Buffalo Sabres goalie

(1) makes a save against Montreal Canadiens left wing

(67) as defenseman

(6) defends during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

For starters this game was decided between the pipes. Jhonas Enroth was nearly unbeatable, and the fact that he almost came up with a miraculous save with the butt end of his stick on the Gallagher goal is a prime example of when a goalie has pucks literally sticking to him. He made save after save and smothered up rebounds, leaving the Habs looking skyward for answers. Dustin Tokarski was given his first home start of the year, and although he didn’t play badly, he didn’t stand out like his counterpart. Not coming up with the big save when it was needed, even though his team controlled most other aspects of the game.

Nov 29, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman

(76) and Buffalo Sabres left wing

(44) battle for the puck during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

When is Therrien going to allow PK Subban to shoot in the shootout. He was a star in the AHL with a bag of trick because he’s basically a D-man with the hands of a forward. He’s playing really solid hockey right now, but I think had he been given a chance and had he scored in the shootout, it might take his game to the offensive level that we’re all hoping to see.

The Habs absolutely demolished the Sabres in the faceoff circle, winning 49 draw to just 19 for the Sabres.

The Habs absolutely demolished the Sabres in the faceoff circle, winning 49 draws to just 19 for the Sabres. Having possessed the puck so much the Habs fired over 40 shots on net, and the scoring chances were there, but the finish wasn’t. Not to mention the Sabres ended up blocking 30 shots! That is a whole lot of rubber that was fired at Enroth, and the advanced stats guys will tell you that the Sabres weren’t even in the same arena, but goaltending can win games on it’s own.

Here are the players I want to single out after last night’s game;

• Alex Galchenyuk – 6 shots, 1 assist and he was all over the ice all night. He also almost scored one that went off the crossbar.
• Lars Eller – Team high 7 shots, scored a goal and was 76% in the faceoff circle.
• Alexei Emelin – Was a targeted man, but he didn’t back down laying out 6 hits, and ended up with an assist.

Special teams were a non-factor in this one, but the Habs lost again, going 0/2 on the powerplay. They had more opportunity than Buffalo but didn’t manage to do anything with it. Add in the fact that the Habs allowed the first goal of the game again in the first period and we’ll just say the trend continues and leave it at that.

Nov 29, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Dustin Tokarski (35) makes a save against Buffalo Sabres right wing

(12) during a shootout at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

My final thoughts on this 2 game set are that the Habs just aren’t sharp enough in the 1st period and you can’t play down to the level of your opponent. The Habs ran into a goalie who’s hotter than the sun right now, but losing 2 in a row to an inferior team just isn’t acceptable. Buffalo is going to be beastly in a few years, with that young, towering defense corps. They’re gritty and mean, and if they build their forward corps to match, they’ll be near the top of the East for years.

Thanks for reading.