Final - OT
Canadiens aim to extend win streak against Sabres
Jan 18, 2011 - 4:02 PM (Sports Network) - The Montreal Canadiens will take aim at a third straight victory when they visit the Buffalo Sabres for tonight's Northeast Division battle at HSBC Arena.The Canadiens won the final two games of a three-game homestand and have suffered just one regulation loss in their last eight outings (6-1-1).
Montreal enters tonight with 55 points and is two behind Boston, which will play Carolina this evening, for first place in the Northeast Division. The Sabres are third in the Northeast, but are also 12 points behind the Canadiens.
The Habs picked up their most recent victory in dramatic fashion Monday night against the Calgary Flames. P.K. Subban scored 66 seconds into overtime and the Canadiens overcame blowing a four-goal lead to escape the Bell Centre with a 5-4 victory over the Flames.
In the extra session, Scott Gomez dished to Subban in the right circle and the rookie defenseman let go a wrister over the shoulder of Calgary goalie Henrik Karlsson.
Subban was joined by Michael Cammalleri and Jeff Halpern with a goal and an assist for Montreal.
"It's a big two points for us," Subban said. "We needed it. [Calgary] did a great job getting back in the game, but a win is a win. We'll take it."
Alex Auld started between the pipes for the Canadiens and was pulled early in the third period after allowing four goals on 24 shots. Carey Price stopped all four shots he faced in relief.
Montreal led 4-0 after Halpern's goal at 6:34 of the second period, but Calgary responded with four unanswered goals to tie the game by the opening minutes of the third period.
Tonight marks the first of two straight on the road for Montreal, which is 10-11-0 as the visiting team this season.
Montreal will aim for a fifth straight victory over the Sabres after taking all three meetings between the clubs this year. The Canadiens have won two straight in Buffalo, but have also dropped five of eight at HSBC Arena.
The Canadiens are hoping to have forward Benoit Pouliot back on the ice tonight after he missed Monday's game with flu-like symptoms. Habs defenseman James Wisniewski was also bothered by the illness, but was able to play on Monday.
The Sabres have dropped two of their last three games and are coming off Saturday's road setback against the New York Islanders. John Tavares' natural hat trick in the second period helped the Isles take a 5-3 decision at Nassau Coliseum.
Tyler Ennis and Thomas Vanek each had a goal and an assist while Jochen Hecht scored the other goal for the Sabres. Ryan Miller allowed all five goals on 37 shots.
"The second period was a disaster for us," said Buffalo head coach Lindy Ruff. "We had no coverage in front of the net vs. Two or three goals came off rebounds. We gave this game away."
The Sabres are just 10-11-1 as the host team this season, but they have won two of their last three in western New York.
- MONTREAL: 1
BUFFALO: 2
Final - OT
Jan 18 10:12 PM - MONTREAL: 1
BUFFALO: 1
End of Regulation
Jan 18 10:07 PM - MONTREAL: 1
BUFFALO: 1
End of 2nd
Jan 18 9:13 PM - Buffalo Power-Play Goal - Tyler Ennis (11), from Thomas Vanek and Tim Connolly at 11:21.
Canadiens 1, Sabres 1 2nd - 8:39Jan 18 8:57 PM - MONTREAL: 1
BUFFALO: 0
End of 1st
Jan 18 8:18 PM - Montreal Power-Play Goal - David Desharnais (2), from Roman Hamrlik and James Wisniewski at 5:19.
Canadiens 1, Sabres 0 1st - 14:41Jan 18 7:50 PM - MONTREAL: 0
BUFFALO: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Jan 18 7:39 PM
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