The Montreal Canadiens began their streak of two games in as many nights with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Buffalo Sabers on Saturday at KeyBank Center.
It was Juraj Slafkovsky who gave his team victory thanks to a beautiful feint that surprised Devon Levi.
After a first period in which the local favorites dominated, the Canadian took advantage of a serious penalty against Sabers forward Eric Robinson in the second period (he hit Justin Barron from behind) and scored two goals in 14 seconds.
Jayden Struble opened the scoring, scoring his first National League goal, four-on-four, by deflecting in Johnathan Kovacevic's pass. Nick Suzuki then deceived the Quebecer Levi's alertness with a precise shot at the top.
Cayden Primeau was phenomenal. Primeau was perfect with 17 shots in the first half, but gave up twice on 48 shots in 65 minutes of play. He also saved two of the four shots he faced in the shootout.
However, the Canadian did not make it easy for himself, as after 40 minutes he had his destiny in his own hands and was leading 2-0. However, this was not to the liking of Jeff Skinner, who took great pleasure in scoring goals often against Montrealer. The latter initiated his team's comeback by flashing the red light very early in the third period, while Kyle Okposo equalized 5 minutes and 30 seconds later.
A penalty for Christian Dvorak's tripping at the very end of the game could have really hurt Bleu-Blanc-Rouge. However, CH refused to send the game to penalties.
Montreal will face the Nashville Predators on Sunday at the Bell Centre.
SUMMARY
Barrage shots
Juraj Slafkovsky: GOAL
JJ Peterka: FAILED
Jesse Ylönen: GOAL
Owen Power: GOAL
Cole Caufield: GOAL
Victor Olofsson: GOAL
Nick Suzuki: FAILED
Days Thompson: FAILED
RENEWAL
05:00 – End of period.
00:00- Start of period.
THIRD PERIOD
8:00 p.m. – End of period.
18:54 – Christian Dvorak receives a penalty. The Sabers will play on the power play.
15:44 – Connor Clifton and Juraj Slafkovsky drop the gloves and begin the fight.
13:58 – Tage Thompson receives a penalty. The Canadians will play on the power play.
09:28- Cole Caufield gets a golden chance to score, but he can't beat Devon Levi.
06:36 – BUT BUF 2-2 The Sabers continue to attack. Justin Barron has had a change of heart. Kyle Okposo takes advantage and scores. His fourth goal of the season allows Buffalo to tie the game.
01:06 – GOAL BUF 2-1 The Sabers start the third period strong. Jeff Skinner hits the target. His 12th goal of the season allows Buffalo to get on the scoreboard.
00:00- Start of period.
SECOND PERIOD
8:00 p.m. – End of period.
17:13 – Gustav Lindström receives a penalty. The Sabers will play on the power play.
13:13 – BUT MTL 2:0 The Canadians added even more 14 seconds later. This time Nick Suzuki scored the goal. His eighth goal of the season gives Montreal a two-goal lead. Mike Matheson and Sean Monahan get assists.
12:59 – BUT MTL 1:0 Jayden Struble scores the first goal of his NHL career to give Montreal the lead. Johnathan Kovacevic is an accomplice in the sequence.
11:00 – Justin Barron falls victim to an unpleasant gesture from Eric Robinson. The Sabers forward is ejected from the game. Kaiden Guhle is also being hunted.
03:02 – Mattias Samuelsson receives a penalty. The Canadians will play on the power play.
00:00 – Tanner Pearson will not return to the game due to an upper body injury.
00:00 – Start of period.
FIRST PERIOD
8:00 p.m. – End of period.
16:40 – Kaiden Guhle receives a penalty. The Sabers play five-on-three.
3:15 p.m. – Cayden Primeau receives a penalty. The Sabers will play on the power play.
09:44 – Johnathan Kovacevic receives a penalty. The Sabers will play on the power play.
00:00 – Start of the game.
In front of the net
Cayden Primeau Record: 2-3-0 / Goals Allowed Average: 3.72 / Efficiency Rate: 88.6%
Devon Levi Record: 4-4-1 / Goals Allowed Average: 3.44 / Efficiency Rate: 88.7%
Training from trainer Martin St-Louis