MONTREAL (AP) — The Montreal Canadiens showcased their offensive power on Tuesday night, securing a commanding 6-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, extending Buffalo's remarkable winless streak to 11 games.
Highlighting the Canadiens' performance, Patrik Laine netted his first hat trick with the club, bringing his season total to six goals within just seven games since making his return from injury. Joining him on the score sheet were teammates Juraj Slafkovsky, Joel Armia, and Josh Anderson, all contributing to the blowout.
Montreal's dynamic play was bolstered by Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Lane Hutson, who each delivered two assists during the match, showcasing solid teamwork. Goaltender Sam Montembeault proved to be instrumental, making 20 saves on 21 shots, including some key stops to maintain the lead.
For the Sabres, Dylan Cozens managed to score, but it wasn’t enough to counteract the fierce Canadiens lineup. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen faced 21 shots and stopped 15 before backup James Reimer came in to begin the third period, successfully stopping all six shots he faced.
The Canadiens wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Armia scoring just 19 seconds after the puck dropped. He capitalized on a defensive blunder from Sabres’ Owen Power, who mishandled the puck off the end boards, presenting Armia with the opportunity for the easy goal.
Laine’s hat trick came at pivotal moments, with two goals scored during five-on-three power plays, leading to raucous cheers from the home crowd. The first of those goals came just 1:10 after the first, enhancing the Canadiens' lead to 5-1 midway through the second period.
Despite the urgency brought forth by Sabres’ owner Terry Pegula, who flew to Montreal for what was likely a motivational team meeting, the visiting team struggled to find their footing early on. It wasn't until 10:05 had passed since the game started when Buffalo recorded their first shot on goal, compared to the nine the Canadiens had already registered by then.
The Sabres continued to face challenges, particularly with discipline on the ice. They racked up five minor penalties across the first two periods, which severely hindered their chances for scoring and allowed the Canadiens to exploit their power-play opportunities.
The loss was particularly disheartening as it followed Pegula’s visit, with little evident change on the ice. The lack of response from the Sabres to the encouraging presence of their owner raised concerns about the team’s morale and competitive spirit.
Fans were quick to react when Laine’s final goal of the evening was announced, raining hats onto the ice before erupting in applause. The ambiance was electric, marking this night as one to be remembered for both Laine and the fanbase.
Notably, Laine’s production since returning from injury has been impressive, placing him already tied for fourth among Canadiens goal-scorers, sharing ranks with Anderson, Alex Newhook, and Emil Heineman, all of whom have played significantly more games this season.
With upcoming matchups on the horizon, the Canadiens are set to challenge the Detroit Red Wings this Friday, aiming to maintain their momentum from this victorious game. Meanwhile, the Sabres will head back home to host the Toronto Maple Leafs, desperately seeking to put an end to their winless streak and regain some measure of confidence.
The Canadiens not only celebrated individual achievements like Laine’s hat trick but also enjoyed the satisfaction of asserting their strength on home ice, leaving fans hopeful for continued success as the season progresses.
