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Canadiens face quick turnaround in clash with Sabres

Feb 7, 2013 - 3:46 PM (Sports Network) - The Montreal Canadiens missed out on a chance to grab first place in the Northeast Division, but they won't have much time to dwell over the missed opportunity.

The Habs get right back into things on Thursday as they play the second of games on back-to-back nights with a clash against the Buffalo Sabres.

Montreal kicked off its season rivalry with the Boston on Wednesday, but two quick goals less than two minutes apart early in the third period by Boston led to the Canadiens suffering a 2-1 setback. It also left the club three points back of the Bruins for first place in the standings.

P.K. Subban scored the lone goal of the game for the Canadiens, who had won six of seven coming in and are set to play just their third road game of the season. Carey Price gave up both goals on 23 shots in the loss.

"We had a tough second period and the start of the third," said Subban. "We gave up two quick goals in the first two minutes. We were forcing them into turnovers in the first, but those two goals took us out."

Subban scored his first goal of the season and notched his third point in as many games after ending his holdout by signing a two-year contract on Jan. 28.

The defenseman made his season debut last Saturday and had an assist in a 6-1 victory over visiting Buffalo. Rene Bourque and David Desharnais each scored twice and Price made 30 saves.

The win was only the Canadiens' second in their last 10 versus the Sabres and they have lost three of their past four in Buffalo.

Thomas Vanek had the lone goal for the Sabres and had notched a point in each of his first eight games this season -- missing one contest due to injury -- before being held off the scoresheet in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Vanek, though, still leads the NHL with 19 points.

Jordan Leopold registered a goal and an assist, while Tyler Ennis and Jason Pominville also lit the lamp for the Sabres.

Jhonas Enroth allowed four goals on 24 shots in the setback, Buffalo's third straight and seventh in eight games since beginning the season with back-to- back wins.

Enroth has struggled in three outings this season, including two starts in place of No. 1 Ryan Miller. The backup has yielded 11 goals on 72 shots for a 4.73 goals against average and .847 save percentage, losing both of his decisions. He hasn't won since Nov. 26, 2011.

"I know I have to be better," Enroth said. "I have to fight for my crease and stand taller in the net. It's been a long time (since I've had a win). But I still think I can play in this league and play very well. I'm still trusting myself and I'm not going to give up."

Miller, though, is likely to get the start on Thursday. He faced the Habs last weekend, but was pulled after 40 minutes as he yielded four goals on 21 shots. Enroth stopped 9-of-11 shots in relief.

Christian Ehrhoff is slated to miss a second straight game for the Sabres due to an undisclosed injury, while Andrej Sekera may sit out a third contest in a row because of a bone bruise on his foot.