FINAL BUF 2-1 MTL
GOALS
1st Period
BUF Ristolainen Assists Gorges, Eichel
2nd Period
BUF Ennis Assists O’Reilly, Kane
3rd Period
MTL Plekanec Assists Byron, Radulov
SHOTS
BUF 30
MTL 32
POWERPLAYS
BUF 0/0
MTL 0/1
HITS
BUF 26
MTL 9
The Sabres closed out their home games this season defeating the Canadiens 2-1 on Fan Appreciation Night.
Buffalo welcomed the Atlantic Division Champions into the Key tonight, the team’s final home game of the year.
Rasmus Ristolainen began the scoring 6 minutes into the opening period with a bomb of a slap shot that beat Price. Eichel made a beautiful saucer pass to Gorges who found Ristolainen for the goal.
Buffalo’s big guys were throwing their weight around in the opening 10 minutes with Deslauriers and Foligno finishing devestating checks.
Alex Nylander got two good chances in the first but both were stopped by Price. Rodrigues and Nylander are a very fun pairing and it’s apparent that these guys have a budding chemistry.
Game after game Foligno continues to prove his worth to this hockey team and tonight was no different. He’s the wildcard that Jack and Sam need on their line to not only keep pests in line but also add some scoring.
Tyler Ennis had a strong game and was his usual grinding self. He snuck up behind Nikita Nesterov and caused a tie up in the slot before chipping it over Price’s blocker. This was a very unorthodox goal but then again, what else would you expect from ‘Zo?
Buffalo played one of their best 20 minutes of hockey all season in the 2nd period as they constantly fired shots on Price. The game could’ve easily been 4-0 at the end of two had it not been for Carey Price’s pure brilliance.
Montreal’s defense did not resemble the kind of team that will need to be present in a first round matchup with the Rangers. Buffalo exposed the Habs back end all night which is not a good look for the Bleu, Blanc and Rouge.
Montreal finally got on the board just 46 seconds into the 3rd when Tomas Plekanec beat Robin Lehner.
Montreal received the first powerplay opportunity of the game but failed to score. Buffalo would hold off a Canadiens empty net attack to win 2-1.
