Deadspin | Collapse leaves Canadiens in foul mood ahead of visit to Buffalo

[ad_1] Jan 13, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals heart Dylan Strome (17) shoots the puck on Montréal Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault (35) throughout time beyond regulation at Capital One Enviornment. Necessary Credit score: Geoff Burke-Imagn Photos The Montreal Canadiens have earned no less than some extent in 5 of their previous six video games heading right into a Thursday street matchup towards the Buffalo Sabres, however they might want to shake off a tricky ending to their most up-to-date efficiency.

The Canadiens took a 2-0 lead into the second intermission on Tuesday at Washington. The Capitals' Ethen Frank scored twice within the third interval, the second time with 1:54 left to tie the sport, and Connor McMichael scored with 39 seconds left in time beyond regulation to present the hosts a 3-2 win.

"Anytime you are up two targets going into the third, it is best to be capable to win that hockey recreation," Montreal ahead Brendan Gallagher mentioned.

The loss dropped the Canadiens to 4-1-1 of their previous six video games, however they continue to be in third place within the Atlantic Division. With simply two factors separating first via third within the division, giving up a late two-goal lead stung much more.

"It is all the time disappointing, it doesn't matter what constructing you are in, if you're up 2-0 after two (and do not win)," Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis mentioned. "You are taking part in a wonderful recreation, even when you're not doing something spectacular, and simply taking part in calculated, and also you lack a little bit of element within the third."

The Canadiens went 0-for-4 on the facility play, together with a 5-on-3 that coated 1:04 of the second interval, protecting the Capitals inside putting distance getting into the third.

"We've good gamers on the market," St. Louis mentioned of his particular groups. "They did what they might. It is unlucky that we could not put the puck within the internet there, and normally in 5-on-3s, when you rating ... you are going to win the sport, and we simply did not rating."

Sam Montembeault made 39 saves for Montreal, however he took his first loss in 4 begins since finishing a conditioning stint within the AHL.

Josh Anderson returned towards Washington after lacking six video games with an upper-body damage, and the ahead scored short-handed for the primary aim of the sport.

The Sabres gained for the 14th time of their previous 16 video games on Wednesday, beating the visiting Philadelphia Flyers 5-2.

The end result moved Buffalo into the primary wild-card spot from the East, from sixth to fourth within the Atlantic Division and inside 5 factors of the Canadiens for third. Buffalo additionally has two video games in hand on Montreal.

The Sabres scored their 5 targets towards the Flyers on simply 14 photographs, their greatest taking pictures share in a recreation since 1988.

Two of the targets got here from Rasmus Dahlin on the facility play, making him the primary Buffalo defenseman with a number of power-play targets in a recreation since Rasmus Ristolainen managed the feat on Dec. 10, 2015.