Jan 13, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals middle Dylan Strome (17) shoots the puck on Montréal Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault (35) throughout extra time at Capital One Area. Necessary Credit score: Geoff Burke-Imagn Photos The Montreal Canadiens have earned a minimum of some extent in 5 of their previous six video games heading right into a Thursday street matchup towards the Buffalo Sabres, however they might want to shake off a tricky ending to their most up-to-date efficiency.
The Canadiens took a 2-0 lead into the second intermission on Tuesday at Washington. The Capitals’ Ethen Frank scored twice within the third interval, the second time with 1:54 left to tie the sport, and Connor McMichael scored with 39 seconds left in extra time to offer the hosts a 3-2 win.
“Anytime you are up two targets going into the third, you need to be capable of win that hockey sport,” Montreal ahead Brendan Gallagher stated.
The loss dropped the Canadiens to 4-1-1 of their previous six video games, however they continue to be in third place within the Atlantic Division. With simply two factors separating first via third within the division, giving up a late two-goal lead stung much more.
“It is at all times disappointing, it doesn’t matter what constructing you are in, if you’re up 2-0 after two (and do not win),” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis stated. “You are taking part in a superb sport, even in case you’re not doing something spectacular, and simply taking part in calculated, and also you lack a little bit of element within the third.”
The Canadiens went 0-for-4 on the facility play, together with a 5-on-3 that lined 1:04 of the second interval, preserving the Capitals inside hanging distance getting into the third.
“We now have good gamers on the market,” St. Louis stated of his particular groups. “They did what they might. It is unlucky that we could not put the puck within the internet there, and often in 5-on-3s, in case you rating … you are going to win the sport, and we simply did not rating.”
Sam Montembeault made 39 saves for Montreal, however he took his first loss in 4 begins since finishing a conditioning stint within the AHL.
Josh Anderson returned towards Washington after lacking six video games with an upper-body harm, and the ahead scored short-handed for the primary objective of the sport.
The Sabres received for the 14th time of their previous 16 video games on Wednesday, beating the visiting Philadelphia Flyers 5-2.
The consequence moved Buffalo into the primary wild-card spot from the East, from sixth to fourth within the Atlantic Division and inside 5 factors of the Canadiens for third. Buffalo additionally has two video games in hand on Montreal.
The Sabres scored their 5 targets towards the Flyers on simply 14 photographs, their finest taking pictures proportion in a sport since 1988.
Two of the targets got here from Rasmus Dahlin on the facility play, making him the primary Buffalo defenseman with a number of power-play targets in a sport since Rasmus Ristolainen managed the feat on Dec. 10, 2015.
“Being a shoot-first man tonight helped,” Sabres ahead Josh Doan stated of Dahlin, the crew captain.
Buffalo ahead Josh Norris left within the second interval with an upper-body harm and didn’t return.
“We’ll deliver him within the morning, consider him and decide,” Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff stated of Norris.
Norris sustained an upper-body harm within the crew’s season opener and missed the following 24 video games.
The Canadiens received the primary assembly of the season towards the Sabres on Oct. 20, getting 30 saves from Jakub Dobes in a 4-2 dwelling victory.
After Thursday, Buffalo and Montreal will meet two extra occasions this month.
–Subject Degree Media
