BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Jake Allen made 36 saves to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a 3-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night.
Allen made several big stops in net for the Canadiens, guiding Montreal to its second win in a row. Brendan Gallagher, Justin Barron and Tanner Pearson scored for Montreal.
āHe definitely did his job tonight,ā Pearson said of Allen. āHe was a big reason why we won.ā
Jeff Skinner scored for the Sabres, who dominated the flow of play and outshot Montreal 37-27, but Buffalo was unable to capitalize on the scoreboard. Eric Comrie made 24 saves.
āThis team and this group will score,ā Sabres coach Don Granato said. āYeah, itās frustrating tonight. You had numerous chances that they didnāt convert on. ... We know we have goal scorers in here and guys that will make plays. I just think thatāll come.ā
Allen's most important save came on the penalty kill with 8:32 remaining. After Canadiens defenseman David Savard blocked back-to-back shots - while losing one of his skate blades in the process - Allen stopped a Skinner shot from the right circle with his glove.
āI feel like (Savard) does it every night,ā Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said. āHe doesnāt lose his blade like that every night. Savvyās a hockey player. Thereās a big difference between someone who plays hockey and a hockey player and Savvyās showing that game in and game out that heās a hockey player. You canāt have too many of those guys. Thatās what he does.ā
Gallagher scored the go-ahead goal for Montreal 3:31 into the third period by poking a loose puck in the crease through Comrieās legs.
Pearson gave Montreal a two-goal cushion with 3:07 remaining, finishing a one-timer from close range on the power play.
Barron opened the scoring for Montreal 2:56 into the game on a one-timer from the right circle. Barron capitalized on a long rebound for his first goal of the season.
Skinner evened the score on the power play a little over four minutes later from a tough angle, lifting the puck into the top of the net. Since joining the Sabres in 2018, Skinner has 13 goals and 11 assists against the Canadiens in 14 games.
The Sabres created plenty of offensive chances in the second period but Allen stopped all 17 shots on net.
āWe had some chances, a lot from outside,ā Skinner said. āWe just needed a little bit more urgency, I think ... it doesnāt matter unless you score, so weāve got to find a way to do that.ā
LEVI UPDATE
After starting in each of Buffaloās first four games of the season, Sabres goalie Devon Levi missed his second straight game with a lower-body injury. Sabres coach Don Granato said earlier Monday that Levi is not expected to play Tuesday in Ottawa but he should be able to return soon. Fellow Sabres rookie Zach Benson also missed the game with a lower-body injury.
UP NEXT
Canadiens: Begin a three-game homestead on Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils.
Sabres: Head to Ottawa on Tuesday night.
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