Buffalo Sabres Vs. Montreal Canadiens Knee Jerk Reaction

Is it concerning that I actually didn’t think the Buffalo Sabres played that poorly? I mean it’s not exactly the type of effort or game you’d want from a playoff contending team, but considering it’s the Sabres and the way they’ve played as of late the majority of tonight wasn’t too bad in my eyes. I don’t know maybe I’ve just drunk the kool-aid and bought into the Buffalo Sabres mediocrity but tonight was a

Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

decent effort.

Sure passes weren’t crisp, the offence wasn’t dominant (many 1 and out’s), and the defencive play was horrible as usual but the effort was there by many players tonight. The most important thing is the hustle and effort was there, I think this is the Sabres team at their best most nights, they’re going to lose a lot of close games because of silly mistakes and not enough talent. The Buffalo Sabres dropped another close game as the Habs won their 4th straight game taking this one 3-1.

• The line of Zemgus Girgensons, Luke Adam and Mikhail Grigorenko was one of the best lines tonight. They played with energy and generated numerous chances throughout the night. Keep this line together and the chemistry and goals will definitely come. I’m hoping Girgensons-Adam and Grigorenko will all be future stables on the Sabres squad and maybe even a line in the future.
• Marcus Foligno– and many of the Sabres- need to play smarter hockey. Foligno tried to bait P.K. Subban into a scrum after Moulson was clobbered into the boards and appeared to be hurt. The only problem is everyone knows Subban doesn’t fight, it’s not his game. So while Foligno decided to punch Subban he was the only one in the box and Subban helped the Habs score on the PP as his point shot was directed past Ryan Miller. Both Tyler Myers, who took a dumb penalty late in the game but it could also have been blamed on his 6 foot 8 frame taking on the tiny Brendan Gallagher and Tyler Ennis took bad penalties and Ennis’ resulted in the final dagger.
• Drew Stafford and Matt Moulson returned from their vacations tonight as Stafford made a brilliant play on the Sabres opening goal as he knocked Subban off the puck and fed it to a wide open Moulson in front of the net. This was Moulson’s first goal since his debut with the Sabres. Moulson was buzzing around and nearly scored his 2nd of the night with just under a minute left. Hopefully this means Moulson is back on track.
• When the Buffalo Sabres acquired Cody Hodgson they knew his defencive game wasn’t where it should be. When they re-signed him his defencive game still wasn’t where it should be and on tonight’s first Canadiens goal it showed. Hodgson had a brutal back-check where he just swiped at the back of his opponent who he should have been covering. Hodgson isn’t a great defencive player, but by this state in his career it should be better! Hodgson needs to step his game up and take ownership for his defencive play in his own end.

• Tyler Myers has grown like crazy since Ted Nolan took over. His confidence has grown and he’s beginning to turn the corner both on offence and defence. He uses his size to box out and is utilizing his shot more often.
• This one has nothing to do with the game itself tonight, but I swear Matt Moulson and Ryan Miller could be brothers. I mean they have the same facial structure, beards and shaggy hair. Am I alone in this thinking?

• One final note. Ryan Miller and his defence (I believe Alexander Sulzer) were arguing on the bench near the end of the 3rd. Miller was quite upset and after the game none of the players gave him a stick tap as they skated by him off the ice. Sounds like there is trouble brewing in the Sabres dressing room.