Montreal Canadiens lose 3-2 in overtime to Buffalo Sabres - NHL Update
A few days of elation followed once again by crushing disappointment. That is the feeling which has become the norm for most Montreal Canadiens fans as the Habs lost once again this time out to Buffalo Sabres by a 3-2 margin in overtime.
The Canadiens were on a two-game winning run before this game with thumping road wins over Edmonton Oilers and most importantly Vancouver Canucks.
However, they could not continue that winning momentum after being outplayed by the Sabres for long periods and even though the Canadiens showed fight after equalising in the final few seconds of regulation time they could not take home the two-points.
Coach, Randy Cunneyworth, though was happy with his team’s effort and praised them for giving it their best shot.
"I don't look at it as a step backward. I was happy with the effort. I think under the circumstances, the guys gave everything they had."
The defeat keeps Montreal down at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with just 65-points as their horror season shows no signs of ending soon.
The Sabres have come a long way from the poor start they had to the 2011-12 season and a fine performance against the Canadiens has now brought them to just two-points behind the playoff spots.
Buffalo moved up to ninth in the Eastern Conference with 74-points and coach Lindy Ruff was proud of the manner in which his team did not lose their hope in overtime.
"It was tough on the emotions giving that goal up with that amount of time. We didn't defend that situation very well. But to come back and go after it and not get on our heels ... I thought we answered the bell."
The Sabres dominated the starting period peppering goaltender Carey Price with 14 shots to Montreal’s six, however, it was the visitors who took the lead as Erik Cole’s goal at 4:32 gave Montreal a 1-0 lead.
Buffalo tried to counter back but Price stood strong against the onslaught.
It took the Sabres 11 minutes into the second period to get back on terms. Tyler Ennis scored his first goal of the night beating Price with a wonderful effort.
That was the spark needed and Buffalo took the lead for the first time during the game in the first minute of the final period with Ennis once again stepping up to beat the Canadiens goaltender.
Montreal for their part did not give up and probed for the equaliser.
They were made to wait for their goal though but luckily David Desharnais was on hand. With just five seconds of regulation time left, Desharnais took advantage of the chaos in front of Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller to force the puck into the net.
The game went to overtime and Montreal started off looking for a much needed winner, however, Tyler Myers stepped up for Buffalo to score the winner from the Sabres only shot on goal in the overtime period.
Montreal will next face the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday while the Sabres welcome Colorado Avalanche.
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