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Cole Caufield cannot clarify why, however he’ll take it. The Montreal Canadiens winger scored 51 objectives in the course of the common season, 21 of which got here on Saturdays — in simply 23 video games.
“Possibly it is (as a result of) normally I’ve household visiting on the weekend, I actually do not know,” Caufield mentioned after a crew exercise Saturday morning. “It’s a loopy form of stat, I’ve acquired to choose it up in the course of the weekdays although.”
The Canadiens are set for his or her largest Saturday sport but this season.
They host the Buffalo Sabres in Sport 6 on Saturday evening with an opportunity to shut out their second-round playoff collection in entrance of an electrical crowd — and Montreal is glad to have “Mr. Saturday Night time” on its facet.
“We do not hate that,” coach Martin St. Louis mentioned of Caufield’s monitor file on Saturdays. “He loves the sport, and I believe with that vitality of a Saturday evening on the Bell Centre, does it elevate the love of the sport?
“I do not know, however he finds himself in nice conditions on Saturday evening for no matter cause, and it is enjoyable to look at.”
After a sluggish begin to the playoffs, Caufield has scored in three straight video games.
Montreal holds a 3-2 lead within the best-of-seven Jap Convention semifinal after rookie Ivan Demidov scored his first profession playoff aim Thursday to assist the Habs beat the Sabres 6-3 in Buffalo.
The Canadiens additionally led 3-2 within the opening spherical in opposition to the Tampa Bay Lightning with an opportunity to finish the collection at residence in Sport 6, however dropped a 1-0 additional time determination earlier than pulling out a highway victory in Sport 7.
This time, they’re hoping to keep away from one other winner-take-all state of affairs.
“It is good that we will redeem ourselves this 12 months,” centre Phillip Danault mentioned. “It isn’t like we misplaced our final collection and we’ve to attend till subsequent 12 months.”
The Carolina Hurricanes await the collection winner after sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers.
St. Louis mentioned the important thing for the Canadiens can be avoiding the temptation to make the second greater than it’s.
“After all the fellows need it. Guys need to shut the collection tonight, for positive, who does not?” he mentioned. “When you spend a lot time telling them how vital it’s, do you elevate the extent of stress? So to me, it is simply one other sport. Let’s go play. The nets can be there, similar spot. Blue line, pink line.
“It is (about) not getting caught up into, `Oh, I’ve acquired to rise to this event.’ No, it is simply taking part in to your requirements.”
Defenceman Kaiden Guhle mentioned at this stage, “It is all psychological.”
“When you get nervous or overthink the sport simply because you have got an opportunity of closing out, you are most likely placing your self in a nasty spot,” he added. “Simply play the sport you have been taking part in all collection.”
Defenceman Lane Hutson and captain Nick Suzuki lead Montreal’s offence with 12 factors apiece in these playoffs.
Tage Thompson has 11 factors for Buffalo.
Again to Lyon
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff would not reveal any lineup modifications Saturday, although all indicators level to Alex Lyon beginning in aim.
Lyon changed Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for the third interval in Thursday’s loss after the Finnish netminder gave up 5 objectives on 23 pictures.
All three Sabres netminders participated in an non-obligatory morning skate, however Lyon was the primary goalie on the ice and took pictures within the starter’s internet whereas Luukkonen and Colten Ellis skated on the different finish.
Lyon, 33, has a .917 save share and a couple of.25 goals-against common in 9 appearances these playoffs.
The puck drops on the Bell Centre at 8 p.m. tonight. Streets surrounding the sector can be shut right down to visitors beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday.