Montreal, Quebec (WGR 550/WBEN) - The Buffalo Sabres have been playing more meaningful hockey games in January thanks to their impressive run that included a 10-game winning streak. With the added intensity has come added pressure, with the team matching the challenge regularly. They were able to answer the challenge once again on Thursday night with a 4-2 victory against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre.
One of the questions heading into Thursday night’s game at Montreal was whether or not the Sabres could match the Canadiens intensity from the start. That question was answered just 44 seconds into the game when Jason Zucker scored his 11th goal of the season to give the team a 1-0 advantage.
Head coach Lindy Ruff talked about what his team might need to do following the morning skate at Bell Centre. Limiting the chances against would be dictated by how well the team handled the puck, he thought.
He said that it could come down to “how well you manage the puck, whether you have to ‘weather the storm’ if you’re good with the puck I think you can dictate some of the play.” Ruff added that, “if you get in the face-off dot and you start winning face-offs they have to chase you around, if they win ‘em then we have to chase them. You know, it’s how well we’ll handle pressure and it’s going to be how they handle the pressure we put on them.”
The Sabres held a 2-0 lead after a period thanks to Beck Malenstyn’s shorthanded goal that came with about five minutes to go in the period. The lead ballooned to 3-0 when Zach Benson would not denied on a rebound chance in the Montreal crease.
However, Montreal had the answer and dominated every offensive statistic in the second period including shots on goal, 15-3, and shot attempts, 45-32 overall. Even after a timeout following Nick Suzuki’s goal that cut the Buffalo lead to 3-2, the Canadiens had the better of the play in the period.
Ruff called timeout and reminded his team of what has made them successful in this stretch. Montreal continued to press the play, but thanks to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen the Sabres were able to hold on and win 4-2.
Luukkonen made 32 saves in 34 shots faced.
Not only did Buffalo hold the Canadiens to 0 for 3 on the power play, but Malenstyn’s shorthanded goal was the only special teams score of the game. Alex Tuch had a chance of his own but was stopped on the breakaway.
Another encouraging sign for Buffalo was the blocked shots, as well as hits. The team blocked 18 shots, with Tuch leading the way with three. Seven different players were credited two or more blocked shots to help Luukkonen, as well.
The Sabres physical play was evident from the start. It has been a theme for this team for the last two months, and 26 hits may be an example of that. They also won the turnover and takeaway battles; despite the pressure the Canadiens put on Buffalo over the final 40 minutes.
The team will now have a chance at a three-game winning streak when they continue on the road Saturday afternoon. The fourth game of the five-game road trip will take place at UBS Arena against the New York Islanders with a 1:00 p.m. face-off.