Excitement filled KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Remembrance Day as fans witnessed a thrilling 7-5 victory for the Canadiens over the Sabres, ending their six-game winless streak. The match featured a remarkable 12 goals and highlighted standout performances from Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Suzuki recorded two goals and two assists, while Caufield scored twice on power plays. Samuel Montembeault secured the win in goal, bringing relief to the team as they celebrated Shea Weber’s Hall of Fame induction.
Exciting Game Day Experience
BUFFALO | The excitement was palpable on Remembrance Day at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, where fans enjoyed a thrilling match that kicked off at 12:30 PM. The atmosphere was further enhanced by a live orchestra performing the beloved hits of Tragically Hip during intermissions. Rumors were also swirling about Gerard Gallant potentially taking the reins behind the Canadiens’ bench, adding to the day’s intrigue.
Goals Galore: Canadiens Triumph
In a spectacular display of offensive prowess, the Canadiens and Sabres exchanged a remarkable 12 goals, culminating in a 7-5 victory for Montreal. This win marked the end of a frustrating six-game winless streak for the Canadiens, leaving fans relieved and exhilarated.
Despite some nail-biting moments, the Canadiens managed to cling to their lead after several attempts. They held the advantage for brief periods, with the longest being only 2 minutes and 23 seconds, a testament to the intense back-and-forth nature of the game.
“We faced a lot of emotional challenges,” St-Louis reflected on the hard-fought victory. “It was tough to manage because it had been a while since we held a lead.”
In a strategic move, St-Louis decided to separate Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, a gamble that paid off as Caufield netted two power-play goals, bringing his season total to an impressive 12, placing him at the top of the NHL scoring leaderboard. Suzuki, the captain, also shone brightly, scoring two goals and providing two assists, particularly showcasing his skill during the final minute of the second period.
As the game unfolded, Suzuki nearly achieved a hat trick but stumbled just before reaching the net when the Sabres pulled their goalie for an extra attacker. “I think he didn’t want that hat trick,” joked Juraj Slafkovsky, who was also a key player in the game, contributing to three goals after a challenging stretch with limited points.
On the other hand, the two starting goalies had a rough outing, with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen exiting after 40 minutes, having allowed four goals on 18 shots. Cayden Primeau followed shortly after, conceding five goals on just 14 shots, marking a tough start to the season for him.
Samuel Montembeault, who stepped in for the win, earned his first victory since October 26, bringing a sense of relief to the team. With smiles on their faces, Brendan Gallagher, Caufield, Suzuki, Josh Anderson, Joel Armia, and Jake Evans headed back to Toronto to celebrate Shea Weber’s induction ceremony into the Hockey Hall of Fame.