The 2017-2018 season got off to a good start Thursday night as Jonathan Drouin and the Montreal Canadiens won a very good game against a revamped Buffalo Sabres squad.
Price réalise 43 arrêts dans la victoire! / Price with 43 saves in the win! #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/OaMk6nCLAG
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 6, 2017
Full credit to both teams in this one. The Sabres couldn’t have done much more in this game to come away with 2 points and gave their fanbase a glimpse of what the future may hold for their club. They are seeing the silver lining and it must be a good feeling for their fan base.
The Canadiens played a solid game from start to finish with only a few missteps along the way. Carey Price was excellent in stopping 43 of the 45 shots he faced and completely shut the door in the shoot out stopping shooters Josefson, Pominville, and Reinhart. Why Eichel wasn’t used is a mystery to me, but I won’t complain.
Jonathan Drouin scored the only goal of the shoot out after Paul Byron didn’t convert on the first attempt against Lehner. The goal was a thing of beauty. Lehner sprawled and actually reacted pretty well to Drouin’s deke, but Drouin’s hands are simply too quick and once he had Lehner sprawling side to side and heading into snow angel position it was slick flick of the back hand tucking the puck under the bar for the win.
We have Drouin. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/G3Pkseujqt
— John Wilson (@TheEagleDares) October 6, 2017
Speaking of Drouin, he also set up Montreal’s first goal of the game with a insane pass to captain Max Pacioretty to tie the game at the end of the first period. After Buffalo took the lead in the second (and control of the game momentarily) it was Danault who took advantage of a sleepy Sabres power play when he corralled Weber’s dump in and wrapped the puck around the net to tie things up mid way through the third. Overtime solved nothing and Drouin won it in the aforementioned shoot out.
Drouin to Pacioretty and they score! That has a nice ring to it already.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 6, 2017
🚨âž¡ï¸ https://t.co/9YFNnTHxBA #GoHabsGo
It was a good game for Canadiens rookie Victor Mete. He has the speed, vision, and hands to compete and play at a high level. As I mentioned in my previous blog, very Subban like without the (usually) unnecessary sizzle. Very good first impression for the kid and it made Julien and Bergevin look pretty good too.
"It's a great first game for him."
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 6, 2017
- Price on Mete
ðŸŽ¥âž¡ï¸ https://t.co/IHPr8P0nbI #GoHabsGo
Hudon and Lehkonen had solid games in a two way role as well. They have speed and tenacity to go along with good offensive instincts. With Julien saying he wanted to help Plekanec find his scoring touch again you have to think having these two as wingers will almost make that automatic. Should we see 55+ points out of Plekanec? No, but a 20 G, 20 A season should be attainable, health permitting.
The Canadiens continue the campaign Saturday night against the Washington Capitals in Washington before heading to New York City on Sunday night for a game against the Rangers.
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