Buffalo Sabres favourites against Montreal Canadiens – NHL Preview
With just nine more games left to play for Buffalo Sabres in the National Hockey League (NHL) regular season, the pressure is slightly surmounting on them as they are still out of the comfort zone in the Eastern Conference.
However, they are still very much alive in the playoff contention, but to play in the postseason, they have to ensure victories in the rest of the regular season games.
On the other hand, Montreal Canadiens are virtually out of the playoff contention, but ending the season on a positive note is still their mission.
Both teams will face each other on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at First Niagara Center, Buffalo, New York.
Let’s have a look at both teams.
Sabres
They are ranked at ninth spot in the Eastern Conference with 78 points after 73 games and are just two points behind the eighth-ranked Washington Capitals.
In their last game, Sabres crushed Tampa Bay Lightning to end their two-game losing streak.
Sabres scored two goals in the first period without conceding any. In the second period, Sabres added four goals while Lightning got two. Both teams scored apiece in the final period.
Jason Pominville, who scored twice for Sabres, said after the game:
"We were able to capitalise on a couple of rushes and made some good plays on our power play. When they have to change their game plan and open the game up, I think it falls into our style of play. We've got guys that have speed and can make you pay, and
we did."
Canadiens
They are ranked at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 69 points after 73 games.
They have lost three out of their last four games and are presently on a two-game losing streak with the defeats coming against Ottawa Senators (2-1 in overtime) and New York Islanders (3-2 after shootout).
Against Islanders, Montreal had a one goal lead after the first period. However, they gave away two goals in the second period and hit back in the final to level the score.
The game was sent to overtime, which stayed goalless and shootout was called. After a long shootout session, Islanders eventually won the game.
Canadiens’ defenseman, P.K. Subban, said after the game:
"I thought we did some really good things out there today. On the penalty kill, I thought we did great on limiting their top players' opportunities."
Predictions
Sabres have an edge.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might exceed six.
If Canadiens win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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