A shoot-in that took a strange bounce off the glass turned out to be the decisive moment Friday in Buffalo as the Sabres beat the Canadiens 2-1.
The Habs were playing one man down after Alexei Emelin hit Brian Gionta with his head down, when what looked like a routine shoot-in destined for the area behind the net instead bounced into the crease, allowing Matt Moulson to score the easy winner into an empty net with just 1:18 left in the third period.
Carey Price had already vacated the crease to corral the puck, which took the unforeseeable trajectory.
Coach Michel Therrien said that he was satisfied with the effort in spite of the bitter result. "We created a lot of scoring chances, usually when we give this type of effort we score two or three goals. And we didn't give up many scoring chances. The last goal was bad luck and we've got to forget it and start back tomorrow."
Therrien also had no blame for his rearguard Emelin who took the penalty at a crucial moment for his hit on Gionta.
"It was a big guy versus a small guy. I don't think he raised his elbow. Emelin wanted to hold the blueline, play it tight," he said.
P.A. Parenteau's sixth goal of the season had given the Canadiens a 1-1 tie earlier in the third. The first-line winger leaped forward to poke an errant puck by Buffalo netminder Jhonas Enroth to tie the game.
The Sabres protested that Enroth had stopped the puck after David Desharnais pivoted around with a shot from close in but the referee never blew the whistle, so the goal stood
An impressive second effort by centreman Tyler Ennis had put the Buffalo Sabres ahead 1-0.
The speedy forward from Edmonton burst past habs defenceman Alexei Emelin to get in on Carey Price, who turned away his effort from in close.
Ennis leaped upon the rebound and lifted a puck past Price in impressive style at 3:27 of the first period. Zemgus Girgensons and Matt Moulson collected assists on the play.
Price later gave Ennis full credit for the magnificent goal. "He made a good play. He didn't give up on it."
Price also said that he shouldn't have assumed that the puck would continue on its route on the play that led to the winning goal. "It's happened a few times. I probably shouldn't be playing the puck when it's on the glass."
The Canadiens outshot the Sabres 31-26, with Max Pacioretty leading with five shots but he came up without a goal.
"At the end of the day we’ve just got to find a way to bury our opportunities, it’s a hot goaltender, you have to give him credit, but we’ve got to do a better job around the net," said Pacioretty.
The Canadiens outshot the offensively-challenged Sabres 14-7 in the first period but failed to get a puck past Jhonas Enroth who shined in nets for Buffalo. Enroth entered the game with a .909 save percentage good for 30th in the league.
Tom Gilbert was a healthy scratch for the Canadiens, while former Hab Josh Gorges missed the game for the Sabres with injuries. Tyler Myers, who was doubtful, played a regular shift for the Sabres.
Therrien did not tip his hand on whether Price would be back in the nets Saturday against the Sabres in Montreal or whether backup Dustin Tokarski would suit up for the rematch.
