Rocket:

Full marks to the Canadiens for the win and playing their game tonight. They skated well, were aggressive on the forecheck, and did a much better job in their own end. Carey Price was solid again making some key saves in the first and third periods. Price was well on his way to his 2nd shutout in a row until Patrice Brisebois dragged down Derek Roy. With just over 8 minutes left, coach Lindy Ruff pulled Ryan Miller for a 5 on 3 powerplay. Kotalik’s goal made the score 3-1.

The Habs goals came from Chris Higgins and two from Bryan Smolinski. Higgins was again strong in front of the opposition net and was effective on the PK. Again tonight, Higgins and Dandenault were an effective duo on the second shift of the PK. Smolinski and his linemates Begin and Kostopoulos had a great game in a shutdown role and managed to score two of their own. Begin had another strong physical game but was reckless in the first period on a play with Andrej Sekera. Begin wrapped his left arm around Sekera and drove his head into the boards. It will undoubtedly be reviewed by the league and Begin may be facing a suspension.

The KPK line didn’t appear on the scoresheet but pressured the Sabres all game long and created a number of chances.

Matt D’Agostini had a penalty on his first NHL shift but was otherwise unremarkable. It was probably just a good game to get rid of any nervousness. Between periods he commented on the different pace of the game being faster and more physical.

Ryan O’Byrne had a Komisarek-like night! He played over 19 minutes, had 6 big hits, 5 blocked shots, an assist and was a plus 2. He did a good job clearing Sabres from in front of Carey Price and cleared the puck out of his zone well. It was probably one of his best games of the year.

Mercifully Patrice Brisebois played fewer minutes than the Ottawa game but still looked terrible. Brisebois couldn’t keep up with the Sabres forwards especially Derek Roy. They danced around him all night. Brisebois also had trouble cleanly clearing the puck from the defensive zone. Inexplicably Brisebois was out on two different 4 on 4 situations. During the first Price made a great save to bail out PB’s poor play. During the second, Brisebois tripped Roy as he tried to go around him. This created a 4 on 3 powerplay for Buffalo which became a 5 on 3. It was when Buffalo scored their lone goal.

Pregame:

Ryan O’Byrne and Carey Price took Matt D’Agostini out for dinner last night in advance of his first NHL start.

Pierre McGuire will advocate to NHL that they adopt a video review process that uses the on-ice referees to make a decision similar to the NFL. In my opinion, this is a step backwards as the referees are not trained in video techniques and there will be a lack of consistency. Ironically it has been reported that the NFL may explore a central war-room approach to video review.

Alex Kovalev was asked if he considered taking a night off given that he has played every game. His answer was a curt “No!” and then he added “I’m missing the game too much”. He was asked how important the last 2 games were to the Canadiens. He replied “the way you end the season is the way you begin the playoffs”. Good answer!

1st period:

Smolinski, Begin and Kostopoulos to open the game.
Brisebois knocked off the puck. Sabres get their first chance. Not a good start.
On the PP, Streit with a big shot from the point tipped by Higgins in front. Habs lead 1-0.
Good hit by Begin on Roy. Smolinski scores from Begin and O’Byrne. Habs lead 2-0.
KPK line holds the puck in the Buffalo zone for the last minute of the period.

Period ends. Shots are 10-10.

2nd period:

Big hits for O’Byrne.
Smolinski gets his own rebound and scores his second. Habs lead 3-0.

Good period for Habs who outshot Sabres 8-4.

3rd period:

Andrei K beats Miller but rings it off the post.
Buffalo PP 5 on 3 Miller pulled. Kotalik scores from the point. Habs lead 3-1.
Great saves by Price. Standing ‘O’ from Bell Centre crowd.

Canadiens win 3-1. Final shots in favour of the Sabres 28-25.

Rocket’s 3 stars:

1. Bryan Smolinski
2. Carey Price
3. Ryan O’Byrne

(photo credit: AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)