Canadiens @ Sabres Top Six Minutes: Roadshow off to a good start

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

• The Sabres are coming off a four-game road trip where they finished 3-1-0.
• Hmmm... that sounds like a good record. Let’s do that.

First period

• Hoffman is on the top line with Caufield and Suzuki. Huh. St-Louis must have some kind of mad master plan for this evening.
• Thompson crashes into Monty less than 20 seconds into the game. The Sabres are clearly spooked by the Habs if they’re trying to take out our goalie already.
• He’s sent to the box to think about his actions and we get our first chance at a power play.
• But Buffalo isn’t scared of the Habs' power play. For good reason.
• The puck is trickling past Monty... he can’t get back into position in time... but never fear, Jake Evans is here!
• Gally throws the puck to the net, which bounces off Comrie’s pad, then off Owen Power’s skate and we’ve got ourselves a Gally pinball goal to open the scoring! (with an Anderson assist).

Second period

• With four seconds left to their leftover power play, Skinner gets the Sabres on the board 31 seconds in by going up and over Monty’s shoulder.
• Hopefully, that’s not a sign of what’s to come for this period.
• Okposo with an icky (yes, that’s a real hockey term) hit on Ghule.
• Later he almost has to answer for it when he gets into a shoving match with Xhekaj.
• Montembeault, sometimes your style can be... interesting.
• Monahan off the post then tries again with the rebound.
• Anderson drives to the net, drops the shoulder, weaves his way through a gaggle of Sabres, gets a shot off, and... grrrr.
• Buffalo seems to have woken up with 12 shots to the Habs' two.
• Somebody needs to put some fast-acting sleepytime tea in their water bottles during intermission.

Third period

• There’s a rogue stick on the ice. I repeat. A rogue stick is on the ice. All Habs must be on alert.
• Great save by Montembeault on a Sabres’ breakaway.
• Another rogue stick on the ice. I repeat. Another rogue stick on the ice. Someone’s trying for a third-period sabotage.
• Anderson with another great chance.
• But Guhle with a better one! He lets loose a one-timer and notches his first NHL goal to take the lead!
• Sigh. Cozens ties it up with seven minutes to go.
• You’ve had your fun, Marty. Time to take Hoffman off the top line now.
• Anderson with another great chance. Seriously. They’re all great.
• Seconds later we FINALLY have an Anderson goal!
• Or is it a Gally goal?
• Looks like Gallagher tipped it in. So, Gally goal + Anderson assist Part ll for the win. Works for me.

EOTP 3 Stars

3) Beats a shot into the crest any day

2) Feel shame

1) Guhle scored, and Monty went. Great predictions!