The Buffalo Sabres were back at home Monday night in a game that saw them lose 3-1 to the Montreal Canadiens.
Buffalo played a good game on both sides, finding themselves tied with Montreal heading into the third period.
However, the Sabres soon became fatigued and after falling down 2-1, couldn’t recover and would fall 3-1 in their last home game of a four-game stretch.
Goaltender Eric Comrie played in his second consecutive game, playing considerably worse in this game compared to Saturday’s tilt against the Islanders.
The Sabres power play unit recorded its third goal in as many games, but couldn’t score again despite having five different opportunities on the man advantage.
As for the penalty kill unit, the team started the game off well, before giving up a goal, giving Montreal a two goal lead late in the game.
1st period
Montreal started off hot, with a few chances early on. Goaltender Eric Comrie was able to make a few saves, in front.
Despite this, Montreal would eventually score off of defensemen Justin Barron, who was able to find the puck in space, and rifle it past the veteran goaltender to give Montreal the lead early.
Buffalo would start to pick it up after going down early, and would find themselves on the power play.
On the man advantage, Jeff Skinner would quickly take the puck off the faceoff and bury his third goal of the season on a beautiful, over the shoulder goal to tie the game at one.
Both teams offenses kept getting quality chances, but failed to capitalize before both teams eventually went to the first intermission still tied at one.
2nd period
Entering the second period, Buffalo got a couple quick opportunities, but after failing to capitalize, would start to lose traction.
Montreal would continue to go to work, playing more fast paced and aggressive. However, this would lead to an Arber Xhekaj penalty, giving Buffalo another power play.
Later in the period, Buffalo would find themselves on the penalty kill. Montreal would attempt to score, but after a few saves in rapid succession from Eric Comire, the game remained tied at one.
Just before the period concluded, the Canadiens were penalized again, and Buffalo would enter the third period with a man advantage.
3rd period
The Sabres would enter the third period, on the power play, and would again fail to capitalize, bringing the unit to 1/4 on the night.
Montreal forward Brendan Gallagher would then score Montreal’s second goal of the game, putting the pressure on Buffalo to respond.
After a few uneventful minutes, Buffalo would receive their fifth power play of the game, just when they needed it most.
After an exceptional effort from defensemen David Savard, Montreal was able to kill of the penalty and neutralize the threat of a game tying goal.
Late in the game, Buffalo would get aggressive as they pushed for offense, and end up being penalized, sending Montreal back to the power play.
This time, Montreal would break through, as forward Tanner Pearson slipped through the Buffalo defense and cashed in his third of the season to give Montreal a 3-1 lead late.
Despite pulling goaltender Eric Comrie, the two goal deficit was too much for Buffalo to overcome and they would end up falling 3-1 to the Canadiens.
Takeaways
The Sabres offense looked better than the score reflected, posting 37 shots on the night. However, an outstanding game from Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen gave Montreal the edge.
This was Buffalo’s last home game in a four-game stretch that saw the team go 2-2-0. The team showed some flashes, but also showed some growing pains as well.
The Sabres power play couldn’t capitalize more than once on five attempts, and it helped contribute to their loss in this one.
Further, the penalty kill unit gave up its first goal against since the season opener against the New York Rangers which hurt the teams’ chances of a making a late game comeback.
Overall, the Sabres went 2-2 at home during this run, and showed some flashes, but also showed some growing pains.
The team now hits the road to take on the 3-2-0 Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre in the nation’s capital.