CANADIENS
Montreal

SABRES
Buffalo

Lineup

Forward lines and defense pairings: 

[one_half]Galchenyuk – Plekanec – Gallagher
Pacioretty – Desharnais – Weise
Fleischmann – Eller – Andrighetto
Smith-Pelly – Mitchell – Flynn[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Markov- Subban
Beaulieu – Petry
Emelin – Gilbert[/one_half_last]

Goaltenders:

Condon
Scrivens

Scratches: Greg Pateryn, Mark Barberio, Lucas Lessio
Injured reserve:  Carey Price, Paul Byron, Daniel Carr

Game Report

Midway through the second period, Alex Galchenyuk made a move on Ryan O’Reilly and lifted a backhand past Robin Lehner to give the Canadiens the lead.  The goal came off a set play following a faceoff win by Tomas Plekanec.  But few players, certainly none other on the Canadiens roster, have the skill to make that play particularly beating one of the best defensive forwards in the game.

That moment gave Habs fans a glimpse into what a special talent they have in Galchenyuk. At the same time it reminded everyone just how badly this young player has been mismanaged.

After 40 minutes, the Canadiens enjoyed a 2-1 lead.

So during intermission, what was on the minds of the Buffalo Sabres, a team that finds themselves at the bottom of the Eastern conference standings? Playing in one of the intimidating buildings in the NHL, would they just fold their tent and go home?

We got a glimpse into what was said between periods or perhaps on the visiting bench in the third from the post-game words of Marcus Foligno.

“We know that’s a fragile team over there right now, and we’ve been there too, where things seem to not go your way all the time. You’ve got to keep on them, and stay on them and they find a way to lose.” – Sabres forward Marcus Foligno

Some Habs fans were quick to criticize Foligno for his apparent dig at the Canadiens. But that emotional response completely misses the point.

The Canadiens ARE a fragile team. And 29 coaches in the league know that. Foligno was simply repeating the strategy that every opponent will be using when facing the Habs: press them, be patient and they will self-destruct.

Shattered confidence comes from winning just six games in more than two months. But it also has been fueled by a coaching staff that has had no answers for the absence of Carey Price.

After a start of 19-4-3, your Montreal Canadiens will not make the playoffs this Spring.  Let that sink in for a minute. When has that happened before in Canadiens history?  In the NHL? And yet, there is no accountability.

The Canadiens on off on Thursday returning to practice on Friday to prepare for a matinees on Saturday and Sunday against the Oilers and Hurricanes respectively.

~~~

▲      Alex Galchenyuk

▼     Torrey Mitchell, Devante Smith-Pelly, Brian Flynn, Tomas Fleischmann, Nathan Beaulieu, Jeff Petry

1. Jamie McGinn  BUF
2. Alex Galchenyuk  MTL
3. Robin Lehner  BUF

• “We are very aware that it is going to be very hard to make the playoffs.“
• On whether we will see the EGG line, “Not for now.”
• On why the fourth line was on the ice in the last five minutes, “That’s second guessing.”

Max Pacioretty

• “I’m running out of things to say. It’s the same thing after every game; I’m saying, ‘It’s a complete letdown.'”
• On whether management can do anything to to help, “That’s not our job. At 27 yrs old, I’m not a GM. I’m worried about doing the best I can.”

Sabres forward Marcus Foligno

• “We know that’s a fragile team over there right now, and we’ve been there too, where things seem to not go your way all the time. You’ve got to keep on them, and stay on them and they find a way to lose.”

Sabres coach Dan Bylsma

• “Larsson’s been playing in a match-up role for us, playing on a line for us that’s playing against other team’s best players and he’s done a good job doing it. He just hasn’t been able to find the score sheet. I think tonight he was rewarded for that. Nice to see him get it and get it the right way – going to the net and being strong on his stick.”

Quotes courtesy of NHL.com