Game 29, Mar. 19,Buffalo at Montreal, 7:30, EDT., TSN, RDS, and

[kinot-1]

THOSE LOSING

BOOO

VERSUS OUR WINNING

YEAAAA

One of the hottest NHL teams outside of Pittsburgh has been the surging Montreal Canadiens, who are getting solid contributions from seemingly everyone who puts on the sweater.

They're still not taking the disappointing Buffalo Sabres lightly, though.

Montreal looks to extend its winning streak while dealing Buffalo a sixth consecutive road loss Tuesday night in the first of two meetings at the Bell Centre this week.

The Canadiens (19-5-4) trail the Eastern Conference-leading Penguins by two points with a pair of games in hand. They've won five straight during Pittsburgh's nine-game run that began with a wild 7-6 overtime win March 2 at the Bell Centre.

Montreal, which also hosts Buffalo on Saturday, has earned at least one point in 16 of its last 17 games (13-1-3).

"It's not any one particular line," said Colby Armstrong, who scored his first goal of the season in Saturday's 2-1 victory at New Jersey. "When you get goals from everyone it certainly helps out."

Tomas Plekanec has four scores and three assists over his last seven after netting the game-winning goal in the third period, with defenseman Jarred Tinordi getting the assist in his NHL debut.

"We've got great depth, balanced scoring and you get different guys pitch in on different nights," captain Brian Gionta said. "That's what you need to be successful."

Though plenty is going well for the Canadiens, they're aware struggling Buffalo (10-15-4) still poses a threat despite its record.

"You've got a team that might be at the bottom of the standings, but on a given night they're going to win a game," Gionta said.

That hasn't happened very often for the Sabres, who dropped to 1-3-3 since March 3 with Sunday's 5-3 loss at Washington.

Ryan Miller fell to 0-3-1 with a 3.98 goals-against average over his last four starts, and said Buffalo, which is 0-3-2 on the road in March, needs to begin playing better if it hopes to make a push for the postseason.

"It's frustrating where we're at, but we need to keep things in perspective," Miller said. "There's points to be had. To make the playoffs we're going to have to play a lot of good games and get a lot of wins."

Miller put himself at the center of controversy for critical comments made after Sunday's game regarding teammate Patrick Kaleta, saying the winger needs to "grow up" after expressing negative feelings about being a healthy scratch despite being eligible to return from a five-game suspension.

Miller, though, said the two have patched things up and took responsibility for any problems he may have caused.

"I think everyone's prone to say stupid things over the course of the season," Miller said. "I apologized to Patty. I felt like what I was told he said and what he actually said were two different things. He just wants to come back and play as soon as possible. We're going to try and move on from that."

The team's focus has shifted to facing Montreal. The Canadiens ended a five-game home losing streak to Buffalo with a 6-1 victory Feb. 2 before the Sabres earned a 5-4 shootout win Feb. 7.

Miller allowed four goals in each meeting, but he's still 7-1-1 with a 1.81 GAA in his last nine starts in the series.

"Montreal has been going good," Miller said. "It's a challenge for us and we're going to have to play a smart game."

Carey Price, who has a 2.21 GAA in four starts during the Canadiens' winning streak, will be in net Tuesday. He has a 1.70 GAA in his last 15 starts versus the Sabres.

Stats:

Sabres,,,,,,,,,,Habs
29,,,,,,GP,,,,,,28
10,,,,,,,W,,,,,,19
15,,,,,,,L,,,,,,,5
4,,,,,,,OT,,,,,,,4
24,,,,,,PTs.,,,,42
2.52,,,,G/G,,,,3.14
3.14,,,,GA/G,,,2.43
11.5%,,,PP%,,,, 20.3
78.4,,,,PK%,,,,,79.8
29.2,,,,S/G,,,,,30.5
32.8,,,,SA/G,,,,27.0
45.9,,,,,FO%,,,,48.4

WHO'S HOT
SABRES

VANEK,,22PTS. IN 22 GAMES, AFTER VANEK IT DROPS OFF PRETTY QUICK
STAFFORD,, 2PTS. IN LAST 2 GAMES
FOLIGNO,,,3PTS. IN LAST 3 GAMES
POMMINVILLE,,,3 PTS. IN LAST 3 GAMES
SEKERA,,,4 PTS. IN LAST 4 GAMES
FLYNN,,,,4 PTS. IN LAST 5 GAMES

HABS
PK,,,,,5 PTS. IN LAST 3 GAMES
GALLAGHER,,,,8 PTS. IN LAST 9 GAMES
MARKOV,,,,,,5 PTS. IN LAST 6 GAMES
GORGES,,,3 PTS. IN LAST 5 GAMES
PRICE,,,,GAA, 1.92,,,AND .938 SV%

Miller allowed four goals in each meeting, but he's still 7-1-1 with a 1.81 GAA in his last nine starts in the series.

"Montreal has been going good," Miller said. "It's a challenge for us and we're going to have to play a smart game."

Carey Price, who has a 2.21 GAA in four starts during the Canadiens' winning streak, could be in net Tuesday. He has a 1.70 GAA in his last 15 starts versus the Sabres.

MICHAEL RYDER WILL PLAY

CONFIRMED BY TSN.

INJURIES

BUFFALO

NO-ONE OF ANY CONSEQUENCE

MONTREAL

PRUST

DIAZ

BOURQUE

Monday's practice lines:

Ryder - Plekanec - Gionta
Pacioretty - Desharnais - Gallagher
Galchenyuk - Eller - Dumont
Moen - White - Armstrong (with Blunden rotating in on the right wing)

Markov - Emelin
Gorges - Subban
Bouillon - Tinordi

Now jump in and have your say.

First member to post a reply,

gets a $10.00 gift certificate from Sammi Soulvaki's

May not be used with any other promotion or discount

kinot1's GDT record

4-1-1

[Marathon.Man]

GO HABS GO!!!

[Guest]

I'll bet the second attempt at this GDT is just as good as the 1st one Kinot.

Well done.

[HabsRuleForever]

LOVE the GDT kinot. You are really getting good at it!

[Forever_Habs10]

.......great effort put into your GDT Kinot.

[BeanCountingHab]

^{We'd better win, they've been awful.}

[NYHabsFan26]

Great GDT!! These games against the Sabers are somewhat hard for me since I love the city of Buffalo, and am a huge Bills fan, but the Habs are the only team for me.. GO HABS GO!!!

[roy_133]

Looks like Enroth tonight.

[murray_33]

On a train to Montreal now to see the game tonight! GO HABS GO!

[Guest]

Great GDT!! These games against the Sabers are somewhat hard for me since I love the city of Buffalo, and am a huge Bills fan, but the Habs are the only team for me.. GO HABS GO!!!

I pop over there once in awhile to see a game and it's like night and day compared to the ACC. Much more ambiance in there compared to the morgue in T.O.

I only have one love in the NHL but i don't mind the Sabres as a team. Fans are decent and i still feel bad for them getting ripped off awhile back on that "skate in the crease" fiasco that cost them their shot at the Cup.

It's too bad this season is quickly going down the drain for them this year. Rather them (or anybody for that matter) then the Leafs.

On a train to Montreal now to see the game tonight! GO HABS GO!

Have a blast.

Looks like Enroth tonight.

Possible punishment for speaking out about Kaleta in the press???

[ColRouleBleu]

Projected lines per today's practice:

Pacioretty-Desharnais-Gallagher
Ryder-Plekanec-Gionta

Galchenyuk-Eller-Armstrong
Dumont-White-Moen

Markov-Emelin
Gorges-Subban
Tinordi-Bouillon

Possible punishment for speaking out about Kaleta in the press???

Nah, I,d say it's because he sucks vs Habs and the Sabres dont wanna hear Miiiiiilllllllll-errrrrrrr chants all game long

[Guest]

I think Buffalo is going to come out strong tonight. This week is pretty much their season on the line. Hopefully we come out every bit as motivated. Could come down to goaltending.

Nah, I,d say it's because he sucks vs Habs and the Sabres dont wanna hear Miiiiiilllllllll-errrrrrrr chants all game long

Or that.

[murray_33]

Any word on who's in net for us tonight?

[Guest]

Any word on who's in net for us tonight?

Imagine it would be Price but no official word yet.

[kinot-1]

Thanks for the Kudos everyone,,,,1st Sat. then twice for today,

[Noob616]

Glad this one's going to be on TSN. Haven't been able to watch too many games this season without resorting to streams which are usually the US feed. TSN will be refreshing.

[jennifer_rocket]

Enroth's numbers are crap this year. We had better win this game. GAA 3.26 and save % 0.896.

[montreal961]

Any word on who's in net for us tonight?

Tsn is saying Price, in their game preview.

[Flying_Lion]

Game 28 again? Is that like a woman being 29 for a few years in a row before turning 30?

Just kidding. Great thread, Kinot. I hope the Team gives a similar effort and keeps the streak alive.

[jedimaas]

Interesting to see armstrong starting on a line with Eller & Chuckie. Im not sure it would be my choice, but he has been able to keep up with talented players in the past (Crosby) so who knows. I think the move is more to see Dumont at centre on line 4 but it should be interesting to see if Armstrong can do a little tonight now that he has the monkey off his back. If he manages to go to the net, he may be rewarded as Eller & Chuckie have been strong at getting the puck there consistently (the other reason i wouldnt mind seeing Bourque on this line when he returns).

[Forever_Habs10]

Possible punishment for speaking out about Kaleta in the press???

ha....he's one to talk ......and once again it brings up that topic,about calling out your teammates to the media

Canadiens rookie Alex Galchenyuk has only one point in his last 10 games, but coach Michel Therrien isn’t concerned. “He’s playing a mature game,”

[Forever_Habs10]

Any word on who's in net for us tonight?

Imagine it would be Price but no official word yet.

according to TSN. ...Price will get the nod in goal for this evening's contest.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=418566

[jedimaas]

Canadiens rookie Alex Galchenyuk has only one point in his last 10 games, but coach Michel Therrien isn’t concerned. “He’s playing a mature game,”

I completely agree with MT. There's no lack of effort or skill in that drought. He's been snake-bit to be sure, but thats his adapting to the game. A "Mature Game" is a great way of describing it, as Chuckie hasnt hurt the team in the least, he's just not quite at the point of producing but it will come. He's also developing some very nice chemistry with Eller & even though many of us saw them as our future #1-2 centres i think there's a real chance they stay together (maybe lars moves to the wing) for a while.

[Forever_Habs10]

I completely agree with MT. There's no lack of effort or skill in that drought. He's been snake-bit to be sure, but thats his adapting to the game. A "Mature Game" is a great way of describing it, as Chuckie hasnt hurt the team in the least, he's just not quite at the point of producing but it will come. He's also developing some very nice chemistry with Eller & even though many of us saw them as our future #1-2 centres i think there's a real chance they stay together (maybe lars moves to the wing) for a while.

Gotta be quite the vote of confidence chuckie feels from his coach.....only with time he'll get better.

[Forever_Habs10]

DROP THE PUCK.....