Canadiens on a Roll: Montreal Eyes Series Sweep Against Buffalo
Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig
After a decisive 4-2 victory on Saturday night, the Montreal Canadiens are poised to complete a season sweep against the Buffalo Sabres on Monday evening at the Bell Centre. This will be the last regular-season meeting between the two teams, and the Canadiens’ dominance is evident, having outscored the Sabres 17-8 in three games this season. With the trade deadline fast approaching, this game could see some strategic decisions from the Canadiens, such as resting key players to prevent injuries if trades are on the horizon.
Goalie Dilemma: Montembeault Expected to Start
Coach Martin St-Louis gave his players a well-deserved day off on Sunday, but there has been no official announcement about the starting goaltender for Monday’s game. Despite Jakub Dobes’ solid performance on Saturday, Samuel Montembeault is expected to be back in net. Montembeault has a 4-5-0 record against the Sabres, with a 3.05 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage. For the Sabres, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who performed reasonably well on Saturday, could see the ice again. However, he has a less impressive record against Montreal, with a 1-3-0 mark, a .847 save percentage, and a 4.54 goals-against average. James Reimer, the Sabres’ backup, has a 8-7-3 record against the Canadiens with a 2.99 GAA and a .909 save percentage.
Scoring Power: Canadiens’ Offensive Surge Continues
The Canadiens’ offensive firepower has been on full display, with key players like Brendan Gallagher leading the charge with 24 points against the Sabres. Nick Suzuki and Patrik Laine each added a point in Saturday’s game, bringing Laine’s total to 14 points in 14 games and Suzuki’s to 14 in 16. Suzuki, Laine, Lane Hutson, and Cole Caufield are all on four-game point streaks, while Alex Newhook has a three-game point streak and goals in his last two games. The Canadiens’ win on Saturday marked their fourth consecutive victory, their longest streak of the season. With an assist in the 4-2 win, Suzuki now has 221 assists, just one shy of tying Max Pacioretty, who ranks 38th in team history.
Sabres’ Counterattack: Tuch and Thompson Shining
For the Sabres, Alex Tuch continues to be a consistent performer against Montreal, adding another point to his total, giving him 17 points in 17 games. Tage Thompson and Jason Zucker have maintained their point totals, with Thompson at 15 points in 15 games and Zucker at 15 points in 21 games. However, Zucker is currently dealing with an injury and his status remains day-to-day. Despite their recent struggles, the Sabres will be looking to break the Canadiens’ winning streak and make a statement against a formidable opponent.
Historical Rivalry: 300th Regular-Season Meeting
Monday night’s matchup will be the 300th regular-season meeting between the Canadiens and the Sabres, and the 335th if you include playoff games. The Canadiens hold a substantial advantage in this long-standing rivalry, with a 132-117-31-19 record against Buffalo. The Habs have won seven of the last 10 meetings, highlighting their recent dominance over the Sabres. This game is not only a test of the Canadiens’ current form but also a continuation of a storied rivalry that has defined parts of both teams’ histories.
Looking Ahead: Canadiens’ Road Trip and Trade Deadline
Following Monday’s game, the Canadiens will embark on a crucial road trip that includes games against the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, and Seattle Kraken. Their next home game will be on March 15 against the Florida Panthers. The Canadiens, fresh off their acquisition of Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks, are gearing up for a strong finish to the season and a potential deep playoff run. With the trade deadline looming, the team’s management will be making strategic decisions to ensure the roster is optimized for the playoffs.
As the Canadiens and Sabres prepare for Monday’s clash, fans can expect a highly competitive and emotionally charged game, with both teams looking to assert their dominance and secure valuable points in the standings.
