Final - OT
Pominville's OT winner on advantage sends Sabres past Habs
Jan 19, 2011 - 5:16 AM Buffalo, NY (Sports Network) - Jason Pominville's power-play goal at 1:09 of overtime lifted the Buffalo Sabres to a 2-1 win over Montreal in a Northeast Division battle at HSBC Arena.Tyler Ennis scored Buffalo's regulation goal while Ryan Miller made 29 saves for the Sabres, who have won two of their last three games and also halted a four-game skid against the Canadiens.
"We played an excellent game -- we played smart," said Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff.
David Desharnais scored for Montreal, which despite the loss has still earned at least one point in eight of its last nine games overall (6-1-2). Carey Price allowed two goals on 39 shots for the Habs.
A high-sticking minor on veteran Scott Gomez inside the final minute of regulation led to a Buffalo advantage, which carried into overtime.
Thomas Vanek held control below the right circle near the goal line and fed a pass across the goal mouth for Pominville, who blasted a snap shot one-timer into the back of the cage for the game-winner.
"This was a big two points for us," said Pominville. "Our power play has been doing a much better job lately of creating opportunities and it's been leading to goals, including obviously the game-winner tonight."
Montreal opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 5:19 of the first period. With Mike Weber in the penalty box for cross checking, Roman Hamrlik, from the left point near the half wall, sent a floating wrister toward the net and Desharnais redirected the puck past Miller from the far post.
In the second period, the Sabres responded with their first power-play marker. Hal Gill was whistled for slashing near the period's midpoint and Ennis notched his 11th goal of the campaign less than a minute into the 5-on-4 advantage. Vanek and Tim Connolly assisted on the goal.
Both goaltenders stopped all 11 shots they faced in the scoreless third frame.
Game Notes
Montreal still leads the season series, 3-1...The Habs were 1-for-3 with the extra skater while the hosts went 2-for-5...Price made 15 saves in the second period...Habs forward Max Pacioretty left the game after the first period due to a lower-body injury. He was hit by the puck during a shot attempt by teammate James Wisniewski.
- 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
Related News
- Eyes On The Prize is on the move Mar 30
- Kirby Dach out at least one week with an upper-body injury Mar 30
- Habs vs. Panthers Game preview Mar 30
- Links: Jordan Harris learns there’s less protection in the NHL Mar 30
- Rating The Tank: Fly away edition Mar 29
- Heineman and Teasdale score twice in Rocket win Mar 29
- Links: A Matter of Time Mar 29
- Cayden Primeau reassigned to the Laval Rocket Mar 28
- TSM: Sean Farrell makes his debut Mar 28
- [Highlight] Brendan Gallagher scores in back-to-back games Mar 28
- Habs @ Flyers: Game thread Mar 28
- Rousek’s Debut Lives Up to Expectations Mar 28