Jan 13, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals middle Dylan Strome (17) shoots the puck on Montréal Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault (35) all over time beyond regulation at Capital One Area. Necessary Credit score: Geoff Burke-Imagn Photographs The Montreal Canadiens have earned no less than some degree in 5 in their previous six video games heading right into a Thursday street matchup towards the Buffalo Sabres, however they’ll want to shake off a difficult finishing to their most up-to-date efficiency.
The Canadiens took a 2-0 lead into the second one intermission on Tuesday at Washington. The Capitals’ Ethen Frank scored two times within the 3rd duration, the second one time with 1:54 left to tie the sport, and Connor McMichael scored with 39 seconds left in time beyond regulation to offer the hosts a 3-2 win.
“Anytime you might be up two objectives going into the 3rd, you must 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 3rd position within the Atlantic Department. With simply two issues setting apart first thru 3rd within the department, giving up a past due two-goal lead stung much more.
“It is at all times disappointing, it doesn’t matter what development you might be in, if you find yourself up 2-0 after two (and do not win),” Canadiens trainer Martin St. Louis stated. “You might be taking part in a very good sport, even supposing you might be no longer doing the rest impressive, and simply taking part in calculated, and also you lack somewhat of element within the 3rd.”
The Canadiens went 0-for-4 at the continual play, together with a 5-on-3 that lined 1:04 of the second one duration, maintaining the Capitals inside of placing distance coming into the 3rd.
“We have now just right avid gamers in the market,” St. Louis stated of his particular groups. “They did what they may. It is unlucky that we could not put the puck within the web there, and normally 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 damage, and the ahead scored short-handed for the primary target 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 outcome moved Buffalo into the primary wild-card spot from the East, from 6th to fourth within the Atlantic Department and inside of 5 issues of the Canadiens for 3rd. Buffalo additionally has two video games in hand on Montreal.
The Sabres scored their 5 objectives towards the Flyers on simply 14 pictures, their absolute best taking pictures share in a sport since 1988.
Two of the objectives got here from Rasmus Dahlin at the continual play, making him the primary Buffalo defenseman with a couple of power-play objectives in a sport since Rasmus Ristolainen controlled the feat on Dec. 10, 2015.
“Being a shoot-first man this night helped,” Sabres ahead Josh Doan stated of Dahlin, the group captain.
Buffalo ahead Josh Norris left in the second one duration with an upper-body damage and didn’t go back.
“We’re going to deliver him within the morning, review him and come to a decision,” Buffalo trainer Lindy Ruff stated of Norris.
Norris sustained an upper-body damage within the group’s season opener and ignored 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 house victory.
After Thursday, Buffalo and Montreal will meet two extra instances this month.
–Box Degree Media
