BUFFALO | A match at 12:30 p.m., an orchestra playing Tragically Hip's greatest hits during intermissions and a crazy rumor bringing Gerard Gallant behind the Habs bench. We had everything we needed to have fun this Memorial Day at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
• Also read: The big guns wake up and the CH finally wins
The Canadian and the Sabers contributed to the approval by exchanging 12 goals. An offensive festival from which the Montrealers emerged victorious by a score of 7 to 5. In doing so, they put an end to a difficult streak of six games without a victory.
Aside from those who think they are the Canadian, no doubt soaked in cold sweat, fans of twists and turns and thrills have certainly been served.
It took four attempts before Martin St-Louis' troops managed to keep their lead. On the first three occasions, the longest lasted 2 min 23 sec.
Otherwise, the Habs had the advantage for 28 and 19 seconds. Not even long enough to appreciate the moment.
“We were challenged a lot emotionally,” said St-Louis, after this hard-fought victory. It was difficult [à accepter]because it’s been a long time since we had a lead.”
It's not how, it's how much, a wise old man once said.
A divorce that works
It wasn't pretty, but St-Louis won its bet by separating Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.
The latter hit the target on two occasions. Each time in numerical superiority. With 12 goals, the American maverick now sits at the top of the NHL scorers.
Caufield gives CH the lead again in this crazy match –
Moreover, it was the first time in the campaign that the Canadian's massive attack produced two goals.
The captain also scored two goals, all in the last minute of the second period (he added two assists in the match).
A divorce that works, you don't see that often.
Suzuki came within a hair's breadth of completing his hat trick, as the Sabers removed their goaltender in favor of a sixth forward. However, he lost his footing en route to the net.
“In my opinion, he didn't want this hat trick,” said Juraj Slafkovsky, smirking.
The Slovak had reason to be in celebration. Limited to two assists during the winless streak, which coincided with his return to play after an absence of three games, he was complicit in three goals.
“It’s one of my best matches of the season. Out of 13, I played 12 bad. So, it’s nice to have something that works.”
The two guards in the showers
In fact, it's probably just the two starting goalies who haven't had a good time. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen went to take a shower after 40 minutes of play after allowing four goals on 18 shots.
Cayden Primeau went to join him (on the bench, not in the shower) a few moments later. He was then thwarted five times out of 14 shots. Poor Primeau has allowed at least three goals in each of his six appearances in front of the net this season.
Primeau kicked out of the match after a weak goal –
“He is fragile. Like pretty much the whole group,” said St-Louis.
Samuel Montembeault, who has now seen action in the last five games, was credited with the victory. Its first since October 26.
So it was with a light heart that Brendan Gallagher, Caufield, Suzuki, Josh Anderson, Joel Armia and Jake Evans returned to Toronto to attend Shea Weber's induction ceremony into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
