Canadiens vs Sabres Top Six Minutes: Habs hand the Sabres two points

For our new readers and members, the Top Six Minutes is a continuation of the discussion in the game thread. We try to keep it light and entertaining. Full recaps are up the morning after every game.

Pre-game

• Alexander Radulov has 35 points in 45 games this season. Tonight is his 200th NHL game.
• Tonight is also Plekanec’s 891st NHL game, putting him 13th on the Habs’ all-time games played list. #GoodLuck
• 64 shots last 3 games which is their second worst total of the season. So.... progress?
• Kirk Muller said he wants to give the Pacioretty-Galchenyuk-Radulov line licence to be creative vs focusing on structure. As long as they create goals, I’m in.

First period

• Saturday night in Montreal. Oh baby. Here we go.
• Game starts with a Paul Byron rush because of course. No threat though.
• Radulov crossed up two Sabres so much they crashed into each other.
• Oh right. Gionta.
• Habs feeling so confident in their own end vs the Sabres, they’re chancing passes right into the slot. Maybe don’t, though.
• Okposo attempts a snipe but Carey flashes the leather and says no.
• Radulov to Pacioretty in the crease with Lehner down and hOW DID THAT NOT GO IN?!
• Pacioretty actually made the save himself. THE CAPTAIN DOES IT ALL.
• I was actually in the middle of typing “What a great defensive play by Radulov” when the ref called it a hooking penalty. Alright then.

Second Period

• Habs start the second with 1:50 left for Paul Byron to get a shorthanded goal.
• Penalty killed!
• Habs put the pressure on the Sabres and come close a couple times but no dice.
• L’ARTTISTE! On a Paul Byron rebound. 1-0 Good Guys!
• Oh look, the Habs forgot about Gionta too. Tie game.
• Price with some flashy saves. Let’s go see if Lehner can do the same.
• Turns out no. Petry shot tipped by Danault! 2-1 Habs!
• Or maybe he can. Lehner with a couple good ones to keep the game within one.
• Whoops. Brain cramp. Emelin to the box.
• Penalty killed again!
• Redmond’s had a couple nice chances. I bet he gets one tonight.
• Habs get a nice chance and then a powerplay!
• Sabres kill it off handily.

Third Period

• Great chance by Kane early on but the Habs get lucky.
• All Sabres here, though both teams looking like they played last night.
• Plekanec whiffed on a sure goal from the slot and was stopped by Lehner. So ... not a sure goal, I guess.
• Habs seem pretty confident this one goal lead will defend itself.
• Somehow this period is only half over. I think everyone at the Bell Centre fell asleep.
• Maybe even the players?
• The Habs have at least. Cody Franson’s 2nd of the year ties the game.
• Everyone's favourite penalty! Time for a shorty.
• Nope. No goals.
• Both goalies making an unreal number of point-blank saves
• Carey FREAKING Price with a game saver with 6 seconds left. Unbelievable.
• Loser point!

Overtime

• No matter who’s playing, watching 3-on-3 always feels like you just chugged 12 coffees before going sky-diving.
• What a copier. Lehner with a stunning game-saving glove save a la Carey Price.
• Bogosian banks one off the post and in. Game over. Sabres win.

EOTP 3 Stars

Third star: It’s the new NHL

Second star: Damn foreigners

First star: An accurate synopsis

Habs Highlight of the Night

Paul Byron and Artturi Lehkonen use their speed to open the scoring