Canadiens Game Recap: Brutal Loss Against The Sabres

The Montreal Canadiens were facing an American team last night for the first time in what feels like forever. Things could’ve or should’ve turned out different for Dominique Ducharme’s troops.

Despite the loss the previous night against the Maple Leafs, the Habs only made one change and that was between the pipes as Samuel Montembeault would make his official debut between the pipes.

For Buffalo, a full lineup minus Jack Eichel was ready to go.

Kyle Okposo scored Buffalo’s first game on the opener early on the powerplay.

The Canadiens’ defense once again showed weakness and lack of coherence as Okposo was given all the time in the world to wind up on that play.

Later in the period the Canadiens are pressured in their own zone and collapse in front of their own net to protect Montembeault. Zemgus Girgensons tips a shot from Collin Miller to make it 2-0.

Rough start for Montembeault as he was visibly shook up after the 2nd goal despite not it being entirely his fault.

Canadiens would then reduce the score to 2-1 in the middle of the 2nd period as the former KHL Defenceman of the Year in Chris Wideman notched his first of the season on the powerplay.

Victor Olofsson would then make it 3-1 with a powerplay goal but shortly after Anders Bjork would completely break the Canadiens and make it 4-1 to end the 2nd period.

The Canadiens never recovered in the 3rd period and Tage Thompson took advantage to put the game away at 5-1.

It’s really hard to look at this game from a positive point of view. The defensive corps continues to struggle and we’re really feeling the losses of Weber and Edmundson. Wideman once again really struggled in his own zone but showed a few flashes offensively as well as scoring Montreal’s only goal. Seems it will take some time for everyone to adjust to new players and adapt to Ducharme’s system.

Detailed Recap:

Buffalo Sabres

Goals: Kyle Okposo (1) PP (Bryson, Miller), Zemgus Girgensons (1) (Miller, Eakin), Victor Olofsson (1)  PP (Bryson, Skinner), Anders Bjork (1) (Girgensons, Hinostroza), Tage Thompson (1) PP (Skinner, Olofsson)

PowerPlay: 3/6

Shots: 36

Penalties: Rasmus Dahlin (Interference 8:27 1st period), Henri Jokiharju (Holding 2:47 2nd period), Cody Eakin (Tripping 4:21 2nd period), Robert Hagg (Holding 19:29 2nd period)

Montreal Canadiens

Goals: Chris Wideman (1) PP (Armia, Perrault)

PowerPlay: 1/4

Shots: 31

Penalties: Cedric Paquette (High Sticking 5:24 1st period), Chris Wideman (Hooking 18:07 1st period), Jonathan Drouin (Hooking 10:24 2nd period), Too Many Men On The Ice (Served by Josh Anderson 14:41 2nd period), Ben Chiarot (Hooking 15:54 2nd period), Ben Chiarot (Tripping 3:25 3rd period)

Three Stars of the Game

1 – Kyle Okposo

2 – Zemgus Girgensons

3 – Craig Anderson

Next game Saturday, October 16th 7PM ET at the Bell Center against the New York Rangers.