Sabres vs. Canadiens Recap: Enroth Still Stays Perfect On The Season

by Zachary Zielonka on Nov 15, 2011 6:09 AM EST in Game Recaps

After all of the talk that the Sabres were soft and didn't have a proper response to Boston's Milan Lucic hit on Ryan Miller, how did the Sabres come out of the gate and respond? They didn't get a shot on goal for the first 15 minutes and looked rather lethargic on the ice. Slowly but surely though, the Sabres found their legs and found their game as well as the Sabres defeated the Canadiens 3-2 in a shootout.

After a scoreless first period, the Canadiens were able to get a 2-0 lead in the second period with Erik Cole scoring on the power play early in the period and Max Pacioretty scoring at even strength. After that point, the Sabres still had created some chances and had closed the early gap in shots down to 20-19 Montreal at the end of the second period.

The third period saw the Sabres have some jump and close the two goal gap pretty quickly as Jason Pominville scores on a one-timer within the first minute of the third period. Derek Roy was able to able to tie the game with 7:30 left in the game off a shot right in front of the net.

The Sabres and Canadiens able to get the game to a shootout and that's where it seems that goaltender Jhonas Enroth excels. The Sabres were able to score with their first two shooters, Thomas Vanek and Brad Boyes, and Enroth was able to make a save on Tomas Plekanec and Brian Gionta to get the Sabres the extra point.

Some specific player thoughts after the jump

- I have to admit, I've been able to miss the last couple Versus games due to being in the building for them. Pierre McGuire and Mike Milbury were particularly insufferable deriding the Sabres for not being more physical in their response after the Bruins game. The Sabres did outhit the Canadiens 28-22 and while they didn't go all Slap Shot on the Canadiens, they were able to actually win the game.

- Tyler Myers was benched for the first time in his career for Mike Weber and Weber was able to actually rebound from his last performance a couple of weeks ago. Weber finished with a -1 and six hits which the latter was second on the team behind Gaustad's seven hits.

- Speaking of Gaustad, he seemed to cross the line more often than normal with three minor penalties in the game. Only one of the penalties actually hurt the Sabres, it lead to the Cole power play goal. Gaustad is usually an aggressive player, but it seemed that tonight he allowed the aggression to get the best of him.

The Sabres will head back home to face off against the Devils on Wednesday night which will be on Versus again.

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Congrats, Sabres!

Nobody will care about “who’s tougher” between us and the Broons if we keep getting farther ahead of them in the standings…

by mxsd on Nov 15, 2011 6:18 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

2nd line proposal

Staff-Adam-Boyes. They’re all power forwards with a scoring touch. That could be a destructive line.

I think Boyes deserves it more than Leino. Leino’s been getting a little better, but he is constantly outmuscled on the ice and has not really impressed me.

by BuffaloSolja on Nov 15, 2011 7:40 AM EST reply actions

The only problem I see

Stafford and Boyes are both RW. One could play the off wing but that might affect the chemistry of the line. I agree though, I would give it a try. I think Boyes is much better than Leino. I didn’t like the Leino signing when they made it and I like it even less now.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Nov 15, 2011 8:15 AM EST up reply actions

Boyes has some center experience

Or am I remembering wrong?

by silvermike on Nov 15, 2011 9:08 AM EST up reply actions

He does

however, I didn’t think that experiment went well last year. I think he is best on the wing. He is a natural goal scorer and when he is paired with the correct center he is a force. I don’t think Paul Gaustad, Matt Ellis or Cody McCormick fit the bill as a play-making center.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Nov 16, 2011 11:43 AM EST up reply actions

Have we heard anything recently about Ennis or is it still generic week to week? I don’t remember hearing anything about Hecht in a little bit either, which is probably a very bad thing.

by VFN FTW on Nov 15, 2011 9:11 AM EST up reply actions

I would say

When it comes to both Ennis and Hecht that no news is bad news. Although I did hear that Hecht has been skating with the team which is a good start.

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on Nov 15, 2011 9:19 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Ennis skated in practice

but has yet to be cleared for contact.

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Nov 15, 2011 7:04 PM EST up reply actions

Not to me

I don’t remember hearing anything about Hecht in a little bit either, which is probably a very bad thing.

Hecht can take his time coming back AFAIC

"If You Ain't a Bill I Don't Give a Fxck Bout Ya!! Most Disrespected Team in NFL! I Always feel Disrespected! I'm All In!" -- Steve Johnson

by go_buff on Nov 15, 2011 8:08 PM EST up reply actions

i dont mind this idea

I was wondering wiith how well Boyes has been playing why he didn’t get the nod for 2nd line center after Ruff benched Adam after his penalty late in the game instead of Ellis. I know Ellis has been good, but so has Boyes and he’s a much better option when you’re looking for a goal late in the game IMO

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on Nov 15, 2011 9:20 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

I think

Lindy benched Adam for defensive reasons. In that department, it makes sense to go with Ellis over Boyes.

I’d propose a Boyes-Leino-Stafford line until Ennis comes back. Leino should take another stab at being a center, I’m not convinced he has been any more successful as a winger.

by lassathrax on Nov 15, 2011 1:28 PM EST up reply actions

(this season on this team, of course)

by lassathrax on Nov 15, 2011 1:28 PM EST up reply actions

I watched the first two periods, and then downloaded the WGR Android app to listen to the third.

Will be listening to the entire Devils game. They aren’t fun to watch in the first place, but the back-to-back dosage of VS is too much for me.

by Binthet on Nov 15, 2011 10:05 AM EST reply actions

Thoughts

1. Nice job by Ruff juggling the lines and shortening his bench
2. I don’t mind Gaustad getting too aggressive – clearly he was doing it for the benefit of Ruff, and I’m glad he cares enough to respond to being called out for not finishing checks
3. Speaking of finishing checks, the recap on Versus of the 1st period was hard to watch – really, we do need to finish checks. Even if you are fast, the chip n’ chase goes nowhere if we can’t knock a guy off the puck once in a while
4. Sucks to be the Habs – that’s the worst way to lose! I’m happy that the statistic they ran at the top of 3rd period (Habs perfect record when leading after 2, Sabres zilcth when trailing after 2) was broken.

by joeysimms on Nov 15, 2011 10:15 AM EST reply actions

hmm.. A Sabres/Devils game on Versus? Sounds like a ratings winner. At least Jacques Lemaire isn’t coaching the Devils so it shouldn’t be AS trappy…

"If we needed any more motivation to win a Cup sooner than later, we've got one now," Black said. "I really want to listen to the game that RJ calls when he finally gets to shout out, 'Buffalo wins the Stanley Cup.'"

by FloridaBuffalo on Nov 15, 2011 11:53 AM EST reply actions