Montreal Canadiens - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Lawrence Pilut won’t play today; Carter Hutton to start

BUFFALO – Lawrence Pilut’s NHL debut will come at a later date. The slick Swedish defenseman, who was summoned from the AHL on Wednesday, won’t play this afternoon against the Montreal Canadiens, Sabres coach Phil Housley said.

The Sabres, however, could make one change on defense. Housley said Marco Scandella, out with a lower-body injury since blocking a shot Monday, will be a game-time decision.

Update: Scandella will play, meaning defenseman Casey Nelson is ... Read the full article

Sabres goalies Carter Hutton, Linus Ullmark forming strong tandem

BUFFALO – After earning his 10th win this season, the scorching Sabres will likely turn to goalie Carter Hutton again for this afternoon’s home tilt against the Montreal Canadiens.

Right now, having registered six victories during the Sabres’ seven-game winning streak, Hutton is enjoying a career-best stretch. In his first weeks as a regular NHL starter, the affable veteran has morphed into one of the league’s hottest netminders.

But considering the Sabres also play ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Eichel scoring points, not worried about goals

BUFFALO – It’s hard to quibble with Jack Eichel’s torrid start. In the last eight games, the slick Sabres captain has compiled a hefty 12 points. Right now, he’s pivoting perhaps the NHL’s best line between scorching wingers Jeff Skinner and Jason Pominville.

Through the first 15 contests, Eichel has scored a team-leading 17 points. At his current pace, he would have 93 points over a full season, the most since Daniel Briere had ... Read the full article

Sabres roar back, beat Canadiens

BUFFALO – In the not-so-distant past, the Sabres would’ve wilted in a game like Thursday’s wild 4-3 comeback victory against the Montreal Canadiens.

The upstart Sabres fell behind by one goal three times, including just 77 seconds into the tilt and again early in the third period. Each time, however, they rallied, refusing to deviate from their game plan.

“You just stay calm, composed, collected and good things happen,” said winger Kyle Okposo, whose power-play ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Sam Reinhart looking better beside new linemates

BUFFALO – Points-wise, Sabres winger Sam Reinhart began Thursday’s 4-3 win against the Montreal Canadiens enjoying the best nine-game start of his career.

Of course, Reinhart, 22, hadn’t exactly experienced a rollicking October before his first goal this season tied Thursday’s contest at 13:07 into the third period. So far, he has six points.

Fresh off a 25-goal, 50-point campaign in which he scored 18 goals and 37 points over the final 38 games, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sam Reinhart generating more offense beside new linemates

BUFFALO – Points-wise, this is the best start of Sam Reinhart’s career. In his first nine outings of a season, the Sabres winger had never hit the five-point mark.

Of course, Reinhart, 22, hasn’t exactly enjoyed a rollicking October. He has zero goals and five assists entering tonight’s tilt against the Montreal Canadiens at KeyBank Center.

Fresh off a 25-goal, 50-point campaign in which he scored 18 goals and 37 points over the final 38 ... Read the full article

‘Little pest’ Jeff Skinner scoring, feeling comfortable with Sabres

BUFFALO – For years, Sabres newcomer Jeff Skinner annoyed defenseman Jake McCabe.

Skinner constantly hounds the puck, forechecking and backchecking ferociously. The shifty winger often escapes defenders who believe they have him stymied.

When the diminutive Skinner grabs the puck, you can be sure he will beeline to the net. And after the whistle, the three-time 30-goal scorer loves talking a little trash.

“He’s just a little pest,” McCabe said Wednesday inside KeyBank Center. “Yeah, ... Read the full article

Sabres must showcase speed against upstart Canadiens

BUFFALO – Early in this morning’s practice, the Sabres’ first full session since winning two road games over the weekend, coach Phil Housley did not like his team’s pace.

So Housley, who rarely raises his voice, briefly ripped into the Sabres as they prepared for Thursday’s home tilt against the Montreal Canadiens.

“We’re too (expletive) slow right now!” Housley shouted on the HarborCenter ice. “We got to attack with speed!”... Read the full article

Phil Housley calls out Sabres’ leadership group following loss to Canadiens

BUFFALO – For the Sabres, the NHL’s worst team, any minor success is usually fleeting. A bad period quickly overshadows the good one.

For the opening 20 minutes Friday, the Sabres responded strongly after two home losses, following their game plan and pumping pucks on net.

Then they started freelancing following a scoreless first period, fell behind and lost 3-0 to the hapless Montreal Canadiens.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Nick Deslauriers thriving with Canadiens

BUFFALO – Six months ago, Nick Deslauriers’ future in the NHL looked iffy. Following a career-worst season in which he scored zero goals for the Sabres, it became apparent the popular winger wasn’t part of the new regime’s plans.

On Sept. 30, the Sabres waived Deslauriers. Four days later, they traded him to the Montreal Canadiens, who promptly assigned him to the Laval Rocket.

Deslauriers, 27, hadn’t played in the AHL since 2013-14.... Read the full article