KEYS TO THE GAME
Beginning the sport on the best foot
Following Tuesday’s Sport 4 loss to the Sabres, head coach Martin St-Louis mentioned he favored the best way his group performed… except for their begin. With Buffalo tying the sequence 2-2 and the momentum swinging of their favor, Montreal will need to set the tone early tonight.
Capitalizing on particular groups
Though Cole Caufield scored as soon as on the person benefit and the Canadiens generated many possibilities, the Habs might want to convert extra of these makes an attempt into targets on the facility play. In the meantime, the Sabres had been extra opportunistic with two of their three targets approaching the facility play in Sport 4.
Time to regulate
The Sabres wanted to regulate their recreation plan to even the sequence… and it labored. Count on Lindy Ruff’s contingent to maintain taking part in a tighter model of hockey, and for the Canadiens to regulate accordingly as they’ve executed all through the common season and playoffs to date.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Common season
Oct. 20 vs. BUF: 4-2 MTL
Jan. 15 @ BUF: 5-3 BUF
Jan. 22 vs. BUF: 4-2 BUF
Jan. 31 @ BUF: 4-2 MTL
Playoffs
Sport 1 | Could 6 @ BUF: 4-2 BUF
Sport 2 | Could 8 @ BUF: 5-1 MTL
Sport 3 | Could 10 vs. BUF: 6-2 MTL
Sport 4 | Could 12 vs. BUF: 3-2 BUF
PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR
Ahead Alex Newhook has been on an absolute tear since Sport 7 in opposition to the Tampa Bay Lightning. In his final 5 playoff outings, the native of St-John’s, NL, has registered six targets and as many factors.
For the Sabres, ahead Zach Benson continues to be a ache for the Canadiens after scoring the go-ahead purpose on his birthday Tuesday. The product of Chilliwack, BC, has recorded factors (2G, 2A) in three of 4 video games in opposition to Montreal this sequence.
BY THE NUMBERS: HABS-SABRES
Right here’s how each groups match up: