The game between the Canadiens and the Sabers is shown on RDS and RDS.ca.
SUMMARY: CH 2 – Sabers 1 (2nd period)
The Canadiens kick off a two-game road streak tonight as they visit the Buffalo Sabres.
The CH quickly took control of the game and Jordan Harris opened the scoring by jumping on his own return after only 1:22.
The Sabers replied two minutes later, however. Tyson Josk shot into the back of the net, the puck hit the boards and landed on Lukas Rousek’s paddle, who caught Jake Allen off guard to score into an open net to the right of the keeper. It was Rousek’s first career National League goal as he joined the roster as a replacement for the injured Tage Thompson.
Alex Belzile put the Habs back in front by scoring his sixth goal of the season, his 14th point in 28 games.
Martin St-Louis’ squad is looking for a second win in a row, having beaten the Columbus Blue Jackets 8-2 last Saturday night, thanks in particular to a hat trick from Quebec forward Rafaël Harvey-Pinard .
PRE-MATCH NOTES
Signed for three seasons on Sunday after the conclusion of his college career in the NCAA, forward Sean Farrell joined the team in Buffalo. The former Harvard University, who will wear No. 57, however, will not be in uniform against the Sabers. He did not take part in the team’s training session on Monday.
In 34 games with the Crimson this season, Farrell has 20 goals and 33 assists.
Jake Allen will also be the starting goaltender for the Habs.
Moreover, our journalist Patrick Friolet reported that Cayden Primeau has just landed in Philadelphia, where the CH plays tomorrow. The Rocket goaltender is posting a 2.33 GAA and .924 save percentage over his last nine games.
The Sabers, who will be looking for a third straight victory, will be without the services of their leading scorer, Tage Thompson, who is nursing an upper body injury. Goalkeeper Eric Comrie will be absent.
With 76 points, the Sabers are six points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins and the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Canadian formation in training
Harvey-Pinard-Suzuki-Hoffman
Gurianov-Dach-Drouin
Ylönen-Evans-Gallagher
Pezzetta-Tierney-Belzile
Matheson-Savard
Edmundson-Barron
Harris-Kovacevic
Allen
Montembeault