Match-Up:
The Habs (23-25-10) are in Buffalo Friday night to face the Sabres (24-27-6). Game time is 7:30 and the match airs on RDS (HD) and TSN (HD).
In three games played so far, all at the Bell Centre, the Canadiens have yet to beat the Sabres. They’ve picked up just one point in the series, a shootout loss on Nov. 14. This will be game four of six in between the two clubs this season. The remaining matches will all be played at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo.
What to Watch:
The line of Erik Cole, Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais continues to impress. Every member of the trio is riding a four game point streak into Friday’s game, they account for 9 of the 15 goals the Habs have scored in that span. Mathieu Darche has been hot as well lately, he has four points (2g, 2a) in the last three games. His solid two-way play has earned Darche upwards of 17 and a half minutes in each of the last eight games, not bad for a guy that’s played less than 10 minutes over 20 times this season.
The Sabres may have been crushed 7-2 by the Flyers Thursday night, but their top two threats, Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek each netted goals. For Pominville the goal was number 22 on the season, number 21 for Vanek. The pair are well ahead of the rest of the team in goals scored. Derek Roy, with 11 goals, and Luke Adam, 10, are the only other Sabres to hit double digits.
What’s at Stake:
A solid third period effort from the Habs on Wednesday helped the team salvage a point against the division leading Bruins and the team has now earned 9 of a possible 12 points in their last six games. The Canadiens have lost of ground to make up and not much time left to do it, but at least they’re headed in the right direction. A win against the Sabres will help the Habs keep up their recent momentum and also bury a team that’s neck and neck with them in the standings.
Who’s Out:
Travis Moen (upper body), Yannick Weber (lower body) and Petteri Nokelainen (upper body) are still missing for the Habs. Also out with longer term injuries are Andrei Markov (knee), Brian Gionta (arm) and Michael Blunden (knee).
For the Sabres, Jochen Hecht (concussion) and Cody McCormick (upper body) are out.
What Else:
Like their previous opponents, the Bruins, the Habs’ next match-up is against a team coming off a game the night before. And like the Bruins, the Sabres were handily beaten by their prior opponents. That could be good news for the Habs, Boston’s lack of rest may have helped the Canadiens Wednesday, they scored twice in the third period to overcome a two goal deficit, although they ultimately lost the game in the shootout.
The Sabres should be used to back-to-back games, like last season they will play the most sets of games on consecutive nights in the NHL. Friday’s game is will be the fifteenth of 21 times the Sabres play without a day off. Their record so far in these situations is 5-6-3.
Be sure to tune into Montrealhockeytalk.com after the match for Montreal Hockey Talk Post Game Show.
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