The Montreal Canadiens lost their third straight game against the Sabers in Buffalo on Wednesday night.
This time, head coach Matin St-Louis' men lost 3-2 at the Bell Centre. They have also lost seven times in their last eight games.
Today's duel was the first time in a long time that Sainte-Flanelle's first trio of Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky and Cole Caufield failed to find the net. The first two games ended with at least one point. Suzuki scored 16 points in his last 10 games, while Slafkovsky scored 12 points in eight games.
It was a mistake by Mike Matheson on the power play that allowed the Sabers to take the lead for the first time in the game. At the end of the second period, the Habs' rearguard failed at the blue line, resulting in Alex Tuch playing alone in front of Samuel Montembeault. The Sabers striker didn't miss such a great opportunity and secured the 2-2 draw with his 16th goal of the season.
The guests' last two goals were scored by Zemgus Girgensons and Jeff Skinner.
Defenders Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble hit the mark for the Canadian. Quebecer Joshua Roy provided assists in each of these successes. It was the first time in his young career in the National League that the Saint-Georges-De-Beauce hockey player collected two points in a game.
In front of the CH cage, Montembeault fended off 20 of the 23 pucks sent his way. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 29 saves in the win.
The Bleu-Blanc-Rouge will return to action this Thursday with a visit to the Penguins in Pittsburgh.
SUMMARY
THIRD PERIOD
8:00 p.m. – End of the meeting.
19:34 – Juraj Slafkovsky receives a penalty. We play four against four.
18:26 – Tage Thompson receives a penalty. The Canadians will play on the power play.
00:00- Start of period.
SECOND PERIOD
8:00 p.m.- End of period.
18:08 – BUT BUF 3-2 Alex Tuch is shorthanded, escapes and beats Samuel Montembeault. His 16th goal of the season puts Buffalo in the lead.
16:56 – Tage Thompson receives a penalty. The Canadians will play on the power play.
12:11 – Juraj Slafkovsky receives a penalty. The Sabers will play on the power play.
09:28 – GOAL BUF 2-2 Jeff Skinner hits the goal on the power play. His 18th goal of the season allows Buffalo to tie the game.
08:40 – Juraj Slafkovsky receives a penalty. The Sabers will play on the power play.
06:35 – BUT MTL 2-1 Jayden Struble takes advantage of the traffic in front of the net to shoot a shot that lands behind Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. His third win of the season puts Montreal back in the lead. Joshua Roy and Alex Newhook are accomplices.
04:20 – GOAL BUF 1-1 The Sabers responded at the start of the second period. Zemgus Girgensons scored the goal. His fifth goal of the season allows Buffalo to tie the game.
00:00 – Start of period.
FIRST PERIOD
8:00 p.m. – End of period.
5:10 p.m. – Henri Jokiharju receives a penalty. The Canadians will play on the power play.
12:41 – BUT MTL 1-0 Joshua Roy is making a big effort to join Arber Xhekaj. The defender opens the scoring with a powerful shot. His third win of the season puts Montreal in the lead. David Savard also gets an assist.
05:26 – Mike Matheson receives a penalty for his action against Zach Benson. An argument breaks out between Jordan Greenway and Josh Anderson. We play four against four.
04:10 – Casey Mittelstadt receives a penalty. The Canadians will play on the power play.
00:00 – Start of the game.
In front of the net
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Record: 14-14-2 / Goals against average: 2.54 / Efficiency rate: 91.0%
Samuel Montembeault Record: 12-9-4 / Average goals allowed: 3.21 / Efficiency rate: 90.3%
Training from trainer Martin St-Louis